Abu Ogogo joins Barnet on initial one-month loan

Arsenal defender Abu Ogogo has joined League Two side Barnet on an initial one-month loan less than 48 hours after appearing on the first-team bench for the Carling Cup tie against Wigan at Emirates.

The Bees opted to snap him up after news that their regular right-back Joe Devera will be out for four weeks after picking up an injury against Rochdale. That means that Ogogo, who has been handed the no.26 shirt, could be thrust straight into first-team action for the home game with Notts County on Saturday. At least he won’t have any problems adapting to the stadium- Arsenal Reserves play their home games at Underhill.

“I have played many times at the ground with Arsenal reserves and love the atmosphere of the place,

“Youth director Liam Brady suggested that a taste of first-team football with a league side would be good for me.”

Ogogo, 19, was previously on Wimbledon’s books but joined Arsenal when the Dons Academy disbanded and went on to sign scholarship forms with the Gunners in the summer of 2006.

He went on to sign a professional contract in September 2007 and was a near ever-present in the Reserves last season, performing in several roles in both defence and midfield.

Abu made the bench for the Carling Cup tie with Sheffield United before spending an unsuccessful trial period with Nottingham Forest in which he played two reserve games.

His contract expires in the summer and his departure would open up a space in the reserves side for another young hopeful but for now he will be hoping to impress at Barnet.