Nigerian teenage centreback Zach Olumide Awe breaks into Arsenal's first team with sub appearance

ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta has promoted Nigerian teenager Zach Awe to the club's first team naming him as an unused substitute in Thursday's narrow 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Warriors at the Molineux Stadium.

Awe, 18, is a versatile defender but is primarily a centreback renown for having the ability to stride out of defence with the ball. His full name is Zacharia Olumide Awe and he came through the Arsenal youth ranks, signing his first professional contract with the club last year.

Already an England youth international Awe has shared his time between Arsenal's Under-18s and U23s this season. Having played for the England youth team, if he wants to feature for the Super Eagles at senior level, Awe will have to go through a switch with Fifa, just as compatriot Ademola Lookman recently did.

Seen as a player with a great future ahead of him, Awe has also played in midfield for the Arsenal U18 team twice this season. He played in the FA Youth Cup this season but of late has graduated to the Gunners' first team in recent weeks.

Manager Arteta has handed Awe the number 75 shirt using him as cover for Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu who is still out injured. Composed in possession and efficient at breaking up play, Awe is seen by many pundits as another Tony Adams the making.