Mikel hails Lookman for choosing to play for Nigeria early, says he will be a threat to Arsenal
Former Super eagles captain and Chelsea legend, Mikel Obi has praised Atalanta of Italy forward, Ademola Lookman for choosing to play for Nigeria early and not after he was past his best, giving his country his best years.
Mikel said this on Bein Sports commentary ahead of Thursday night’s UEFA Champions League games.
Lookman featured for England at the U-16 through to the U19 levels, between 2016 and 2017 before he decided to switch his allegiance to his parents’ country, Nigeria in 2022 at the age of 24 years, 05 months and 05 days five days under Austin Eguavoen.
He has featured 25 times, scored eight goals and provided four assists for Nigeria, including the three goals in seven games at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire early this year. He was voted among the best X1 of the tournament.
Mikel was unequivocal in denouncing players who treat like as second choice after they must have failed to get the recognition they wanted from their country of residence.
The former Chelsea player is also confident Lookman will cause Arsenal all sorts of problems Thursday when they clash at the Gewiss stadium in their opening group game of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League.
Lookman will surely be one to watch out for, having scored five times in his final three Europa League starts last season – including a hat-trick in the showpiece against Bayer Leverkusen.
He also scored the winner this past weekend as Atalanta overcame Fiorentina 3-2.
Lookman’s never scored in four prior appearances against Arsenal, however, while his only Champions League appearance was in October 2019 for RB Leipzig against Zenit.
