Arsenal’s 2025/26 season will be fondly remembered by many, with Mikel Arteta’s team winning the club’s first Premier League title in 22 years. They eventually suffered Champions League heartbreak, but the Gunners are already active in this transfer window, with Piero Hincapie joining permanently and Morgan Rogers and Christos Tzolis heavily linked with moves to the Red side of North London. It appears the Gunners are also looking at their own academy for the next stars of tomorrow, with towering defender Josh Ogunnaike signing his first professional contract with the club.
Arsenal Secure Future of Josh Ogunnaike
Ogunnaike Progresses Through the Age Groups
After five years at the club, 18-year-old Ogunnaike has decided to sign his first professional contract at the club.
The talented defender is versatile, playing as either a left-back or a centre-half. He has impressed at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, working his way through the age groups since joining the club.
The towering defender scored his first goal in the UEFA Youth League, making 40 appearances across three age groups in six competitions, showing his class throughout.
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Towering Defender Reacts to Signing First Professional Contract
Reacting to signing his first professional contract with the Gunners:
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Josh said after signing his contract, “I’ve got my family here, I’ve got the people closest to me that see me every day, and I’m grateful for this moment.
“Grateful to God, grateful for all the people that have helped me along the journey, so we just continue. We all feel blessed.
“The hard work that’s been put in been put in from all of us, the sacrifices on their end, the hard work on my end, it’s all pieced together.”
“I’ve learned a lot, on the pitch, off the pitch, how to get better as a person, get better as a player. I’ve fed into all the knowledge, all the power, all the wisdom that’s been granted to me, and I don’t take that lightly, I’m grateful.
“[The people here are] great people, first and foremost, before they’re coaches, before they’re staff, they’re great humans. I think that’s what really empowers this building. It’s a building that resonates with the values that I uphold, so I thought this was the right place to be,” added the 18-year-old.
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Training With the Under 21’s & First Team
Ogunnaike secured his place in the under-21s before the end of last season:
“It was a pretty seamless journey. I felt like the time that I made the transition [to under-21s football] was the time that I was ready. It took a lot of hard work, a lot of believing and just trusting the process.
“The challenge is always positive. Playing in different competitions, different age groups, playing against men, the challenge is something that I like and I wish to continue having.”
Reflecting on training with the first-team, the young defender said:
“Training with them is an experience that not many will achieve in their life, and to have said I’ve done that, I’m truly blessed. I learn a lot, both on the pitch and off the pitch, I try to ask as many questions as possible, and just learn.”
Featured Image Credit:
IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
