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Tag: Alex Iwobi

  • Iwobi officially promoted to Arsenal first team

    Iwobi officially promoted to Arsenal first team

    Super Eagles winger, Alex Iwobi, has been promoted to Arsenal’s first team and will no longer feature for the club U-21 side.

    Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, announced ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Leicester City that he will not loan out the forward before the end of this season.

    The youngster will keep his number 45 jersey for the rest of this campaign, but will be allocated a lower squad number before the start of next season, allnigerigeriasoccer.com reports.

    Iwobi has featured in every single competition for the Gunners this season- the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup, racking up eight appearances in the process.

  • Wenger hails ‘visionary’ Iwobi

    Wenger hails ‘visionary’ Iwobi

    Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has hailed the performance of his young Nigerian forward, Alex Iwobi, in the Gunners 3 – 1 triumph over Sunderland in Saturday’s FA Cup clash.

    The teenager impressed in his first start at the Emirates Stadium and was involved in the equalizer netted by Joel Campbell in the first half.

    “I liked the timing of his passes. He did well in the middle of the park, that is a vital quality and that fact he plays forward and sees things.

    “As a young boy he is not afraid to come on and that is not easy,” allnigeriasoccer.com quoted Wenger as saying to reporters after the match.

  • Arsenal’s Iwobi makes second EPL appearance

    Arsenal’s Iwobi makes second EPL appearance

    Super Eagles winger, Alex Iwobi, made his second English Premier League appearance in Arsenal 0-4 defeat to Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.

    With the Gunners trailing 0-3, Iwobi replaced former Southampton starlet, Theo Walcott, in the 78th minute, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

    Martina opened scoring in the 19th minute, before Shane Long doubled the advantage for the Saints 10 minutes before half time.

    Southampton added two more goals in the second half to complete Arsenal’s misery.

  • Iwobi happy to make Arsenal debut

    Iwobi happy to make Arsenal debut

    Super Eagles winger, Alex Iwobi, has spoken of his pride after making his professional debut for Arsenal in the team 0-3 loss to Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night

    In his first – ever start for the Gunners, the Nigeria international, wearing the number 45 jersey, went the distance at the Hillsborough Stadium.

    “Despite the result, happy to have made my debut for @Arsenal,” allnigeriasoccer.com quoted Iwobi as saying on his Twitter handle.

    The 19 – year – old made his official debut for the Londoners 11 years after joining the club whilst at primary school.

    Iwobi has been named in manager Arsene Wenger’s 18 – man squad for official competitions five times in the last two years.

  • Okocha advised me to pick Nigeria – Iwobi

    Okocha advised me to pick Nigeria – Iwobi

    Arsenal youngster, Alex Iwobi, has revealed that ex Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, convinced him to dump England for Nigeria, after telling him that he would become a better player with the three-time African champions.

    Iwobi appeared 11 times for England’s youth sides before making his international debut for Nigeria in the October 8 friendly against Democratic Republic of Congo, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

    “Right now I would say I’m pushing to play for Nigeria,” allnigeriasoccer.com quoted the youngster as saying in the latest edition of Arsenal Magazine.

    “Playing for England was a good experience but Nigeria gave me a great opportunity to go and play for my home country, and also follow in the footsteps of my uncle. So I think that is going to be the pathway for me.

    “He (Okocha) told me that if I played for Nigeria I could become even better than him. To hear that was massive because he was a great player. He’s given me a challenge and I might have to accept it.”

     

     

  • Why Oliseh invited Iwobi – NFF

    Why Oliseh invited Iwobi – NFF

    Nigeria Football Federation vice president, Shehu Dikko, has clarified the rationale behind the invitation of Arsenal U-21 star, Alex Iwobi, to the Super Eagles for next month’s friendlies against DR Congo and Cameroon.

    Iwobi, 19, was handed a late invitation by coach Sunday Oliseh, last week.

    Dikko, who is also the chairman of the Nigeria league, said  Iwobi’s invitation will benefit the country’s national teams.

    “The call-up for Iwobi is simply a footballing as well technical one and for the good of the country. Iwobi has declared his intention to represent Nigeria and he is good enough to represent Nigeria at U-23 level. However, as he has played for England at the junior level, he cannot play for Nigeria again at the junior level as FIFA would only approve his change of nationality if he plays for the main Super Eagles,” africanFootball.com quoted Dikko as saying on his Facebook page.

    “Therefore, his call-up now is to get his nationality change resolved and make him available for the Olympic Team if selected.”

     

  • Alex Iwobi gets Super Eagles’ invitation

    Alex Iwobi gets Super Eagles’ invitation

    Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has included Arsenal starlet Alex Iwobi in his squad for next month’s international friendlies against DR Congo and Cameroon.

    The 19-year-old attacker, who plays as a forward and captains the Gunners’ U21s, was born in Lagos but has represented the English youth teams.

    However, Iwobi can switch allegiances as he had yet to play for the Three Lions in an official game, Goal reports.

    Fifa rules require that an application be made from the interested association seeking for permission before a player switches his allegiance, but the world football ruling body clarified that the youngster can represent Nigeria as he did not feature for England in an official game.

    All invited players are expected to arrive in Belgium on October 5.

     

    The full squad:

    Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Femi Thomas (Enyimba FC).

    Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors).

    Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia).

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (West Ham United, England); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England).

  • Siasia invites Iwobi, Adeyemo to Olympic team

    Siasia invites Iwobi, Adeyemo to Olympic team

    Olympic Team coach, Samson Siasia, has extended invitation to Arsenal youngster, Alex Iwobi and Dundee United ace, Ola Adeyemo, to join the team ahead of an All Africa Games qualifier next month.

    Iwobi has enjoyed an eventful season, playing regularly for the Arsenal U-21 team, captained the UEFA Youth League team and making it to the substitute bench for the main team, africanFootball.com reports.

    Iwobi, born in England to Nigerian parent has represented England at U-16, U-17 and U-18 levels.

    Dundee’s Adeyemo, who also got an invitation to join the U-23 team, told africanFootball.com that he is delighted with his call-up.

    “I have been invited to be part of the Nigeria U-23 team. I am so excited at this opportunity. Though I was born in London, it has been my dream to play for my country Nigeria. I am glad I have the chance. I am making arrangement to hit the camp in Abuja soon,” the 19-year-old striker told africanFootball.com.