Gbemi Arubi, the 21-year-old Dundalk forward, said this week he will keep his international options open after a season that has revived interest from the Football Association of Ireland and drawn attention from Nigeria’s federation.
Arubi has registered five goals and three assists in 19 appearances across all competitions this season, a form that prompted the FAI to re-engage with the Dublin-born forward who holds a Nigerian passport.
"I am young and still eligible for the U-21s, so that’s another option in the next window. If the Ireland U-21s come knocking I will be ready to play," Arubi said, underlining that selection for Ireland at underage level remains a realistic next step.
The FAI previously named Arubi in a squad for two friendlies against Iceland U19s in June 2022, and he has represented Ireland up to U19 level. At the same time, the Nigeria Football Federation are monitoring him and his Nigerian parents make him eligible to represent Nigeria. "But I have to keep my options open as well and what’s happened with Owen Oseni has made people think," Arubi added.
Arubi was born in Dublin and describes a close connection to both countries. "I am Irish, I grew up here but my parents are Nigerian, I have been there a few times and it’s good to have options, I have a strong connection with both countries, I can’t close any doors – it would be an honour to represent either one," he said.
The comparison to Antoine Semenyo has followed Arubi’s recent performances. Observers point to his speed, power and two-footed finishing — attributes that have made him a focal point for Dundalk and a prospect for international managers weighing young forward options.
The immediate weight of the story is numeric and public: five goals and three assists in 19 senior appearances for Dundalk this season and prior youth involvement with Ireland that dates to the June 2022 U19 friendlies. Those facts mean Arubi is both on the radar and eligible: he is Irish by birth, eligible for Nigeria through his parents, and holds a Nigerian passport.
The tension is straightforward. Arubi has a clear track record with Ireland’s youth side, yet he has not been tied to either senior setup. That leaves room for the FAI to try to convert renewed interest into U-21 or senior involvement, while Nigeria can offer an alternative pathway. The reference to Owen Oseni in Arubi’s comments hints at recent precedent that has changed the calculation for players in similar positions, though Arubi did not expand on the specifics.
What happens next will be decided by selection and timing. If the Ireland U-21s call, Arubi has said he will be ready. If Nigeria moves first, his Nigerian passport and family ties make that route viable. Either way, Arubi’s choice will likely be shaped by short-term opportunities rather than long-term rhetoric: a U-21 call-up or a senior invitation would materially change the conversation.
For now, Arubi remains a Dundalk player whose club form has reopened an international debate that started with youth caps and now sits at a crossroads. He has made his position clear — he will not close a door — and the next decisive move will come from a squad list or a cap that converts interest into commitment.
