Arsenal’s Nathan Butler-Oyedeji has won the fan vote for EFL Trophy Player of the Round, following the conclusion of the competition’s group stage.

Taylor Foran and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji celebrate a goal for the Arsenal u21s (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Taylor Foran and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji celebrate a goal for the Arsenal u21s (Photo via Arsenal.com)

With the poll ending on Monday, Arsenal’s Nathan Butler-Oyedeji has won the fan vote for the EFL Trophy group stage Player of the Round award.

Butler-Oyedeji ended up receiving 45.2% of the vote, ahead of Kieran Sadlier (Bolton Wanderers, 33.7%), Dennis Politic (Port Vale, 11.4%), and Jacob Chapman (Salford City, 9.7%).

Butler-Oyedeji scored three goals and assisted one in his three appearances in the group stage, stepping into a centre-forward role from his usual position on the wing in the absence of Khayon Edwards and Billy Vigar through injury.

The 19-year-old played a part in four of Arsenal’s five goals, scoring a brace in the group opener against Cambridge United, then providing another goal and assist to win their final game against Northampton Town.

Those goals ended up earning Arsenal qualification to the knockout stages on goal difference, emphasising the importance of each of his contributions.

His finish for Arsenal’s third goal against Northampton was particularly impressive, curling into the top corner with a one-touch shot from the edge of the area. You can watch the goal here from 1:40.

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji celebrating a goal for the Arsenal u21s (Photo via Butler-Oyedeji on Instagram)
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji celebrating a goal for the Arsenal u21s (Photo via Butler-Oyedeji on Instagram)

Congratulations to Butler-Oyedeji on winning the award ahead of potential entrants from all 64 teams in the competition, and good luck to him with the next round against Stevenage!

Arsenal travel away to Stevenage on the week commencing November 21st for their first EFL Trophy knockout game, with the exact details still to be confirmed.