Arsenal officially sign Manchester United full-back

Coming into this season, Arsenal are no longer the chasers but the ones to be chased after winning their first Premier League title in 22 years.

Getting off to a perfect start in their first match of the new league season, Mikel Arteta’s side beat newly-promoted outfit Coventry City 3-0 at Emirates Stadium.

A tougher test awaits them on Monday evening, however, when the Gooners take on Aston Villa.

Becoming the chased can change a team’s mentality and motivation, although one thing is clear from the Arsenal camp: retaining the Premier League is a crucial objective.

In striving to achieve that objective, Arteta’s side have signed six players, including Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, and could add further players in the closing stages of the transfer window.

Now, taking to their official website, Arsenal have officially announced the signing of Manchester United full-back Habeeb Ogunneye.

Opening up on his motivations to join Arsenal, Ogunneye said: “When I heard [Arsenal] were interested in me, I said to my agents it’s a no-brainer. Seeing all the young players that are coming through as well, so I just wanted to come straight away.

“I just wanted to be part of that group, and win games together. It’s good playing with good players, good defenders; it’s only going to better you.”

Speaking about his loan spell with Newport County, he said: “It was great, my first season in men’s football, [learning about] the physicality, the recovery side, it was a great experience.

“I remember when I scored, it was like a moment of madness. I didn’t really know what to do. The stadium erupted; that’s the first time it’s properly happened for me, being in a big stadium where the three points mean something.”

Habeeb Ogunneye is not the first Manchester United player to leave the club and join Arsenal this week, with James Scanlon also leaving United in favour of a move to the Gooners’ Academy.

Whilst this move may disappoint some Manchester United supporters, it is understood that the club have agreed a sell-on clause within the deal which could potentially benefit United further down the line should the full-back develop.