Arsenal’s Hale End Academy is thriving as several top talents have been given first-team exposure, and more could now follow.
Teenagers Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have seen more first-team action, but there are still a number of players impressing at under-23 level, including Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.
Butler-Oyedeji won the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for August 2024 after an outstanding start to the season, and is continuing to thrive in the Hale End Academy.
After several attacking players including Chido Obi-Martin and Charles Sagoe Jr departed in the summer, Butler-Oyedeji has now stepped up to deliver, but just who is he?
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji’s age
Butler-Oyedeji was born on January 4, 2003, making him 21 years old at the time of writing, as one of the older players within the academy.
The 21-year-old was born in London and joined the academy when he was just eight years old.
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji’s height
Butler-Oyedeji is 1.77 metres, or five feet and eight inches tall, making him around the average height for players in his position.
What position does Nathan Butler-Oyedeji play?
Butler-Oyedeji is a right-footed centre-forward who has also operated on both wings on a number of occasions and has even played as a second striker and in midfield.
His versatility came in his younger days, but he is now starting to predominantly start on the left wing, and cut inside onto his right foot.
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji’s Nationality
Butler-Oyedeji was born and raised in England but is yet to receive a call-up at any level.
The attacker has Nigerian heritage, but it is unclear whether he will choose to represent them if given the opportunity.
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji’s Arsenal story so far
After progressing through the academy ranks, Butler-Oyedeji spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at League One side Accrington Stanley, where he made 11 appearances.
He then spent the first half of the 2023-24 campaign on loan at League One side Cheltenham, where he failed to score or assist in 14 appearances.
It has been a different story for him in the academy since. Butler-Oyedeji has now exploded in front of goal, with five goals and two assists in his first five league appearances in the 2024-25 season, and has been a key performer for his side.
The young attacker has been named on the first-team bench on several occasions, and he will be pushing for a long-awaited debut.
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