Youngster Alex Iwobi has revealed that Arsenal nearly released him from the club six years ago.
Iwobi was recently handed the No.17 shirt for the 2016/17 campaign, moving from the No.45 jersey to take Alexis Sanchez’s old number after a fine breakthrough season at the Emirates.
The 20-year-old featured in 21 games in all competitions, 13 of which came in the Premier League, and held down a place in Arsene Wenger’s starting XI towards the end of the season.
He recorded two goals and two assists in the top flight, missing just one of the Gunners’ last nine games as they recovered to finish in second place above fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
But it could’ve been very different for the bright midfielder, who’s revealed his struggles to make the grade in his early teenage years at the club. Despite signing for the north Londoners while still studying in primary school, the Nigeria international says he was very nearly released as a youngster.
“Well I was on trial at six, and I think I was eight when I signed. I nearly got released when I was 13 or 14, so back then I really didn’t think I would make it here,” he told the club’s official website.
“There was a stage when I wasn’t playing up above my age group, but all the better players were. I questioned myself a lot at that age about whether I was good enough, but I eventually got through it.
“They did keep me on and I guess since then that’s when I really kicked on. I played in the Nike Cup (youth tournament) shortly after that, and then England called me up and things started moving.”
Iwobi’s form saw him earn a first senior cap for Nigeria in October of last year, and will now be looking forward to kicking on in 2016/17, with the Premier League fixtures released this morning.
Arsenal have already agreed a deal to sign Granit Xhaka, and with reports suggesting that Theo Walcott could be allowed to leave, Iwobi could be set for yet more starts at the club.
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