The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Iwobi

  • Iwobi encouraged by Arsenal teammates

    Iwobi encouraged by Arsenal teammates

    Francis Coquelin has been discussing Alex Iwobi’s transition from the Academy Team of Arsenal to the first team squad.

    The French midfielder has opined that the Nigeria international can make an impact for the Gunners as he has been well received by other first-teamers and the friendly atmosphere in the dressing room.

    “Alex is a really nice guy. He’s a bit shy and he doesn’t talk too much, but he takes all the advice from everyone and is a really hard worker,”  Coquelin said to arsenal.com.

    “Everyone is very welcoming to anyone and as soon as he came in to the dressing room, he obviously got a little bit of stick and a few jokes, but it’s always in a nice way.

    “For young players to come into the dressing room, they will feel good straight away and we try to make them feel good.”

    Iwobi, 19, was one of the most important players in Arsenal’s U21 squad before he was officially promoted to the first team in February 2016.

    He made his seventh appearance in the English Premier League against Watford yesterday.

  • Arsenal 4-0 Watford Iwobi outshines Ighalo

    Arsenal 4-0 Watford Iwobi outshines Ighalo

    •Eagles’star scores goal No 2 for Gunners

    Nigeria youngster Alex Iwobi outshone fellow Super Eagles star Odion Ighalo after he scored in Arsenal 4-0 win to further endanger Watford’s survival hopes in the Premier League.

    Iwobi, whose appearance for Nigeria was limited after he recovered from food poisoning on international duty last week, struck after 38 minutes courtesy of an assist by Alexis Sanchez, who laid the ball into the path of the youngster who only had to slide home from inside the box.

    It was the 19-year-old midfielder’s second goal in the Premier League.

    The impressive Iwobi was later substituted in the 74th minute.

    Ighalo, on the other hand, was replaced after 46 minutes when he failed to add to his 15-goal tally.

    Watford remain on 37 points, three points shy of the magical 40 points many reckon would keep a club up in the English top flight.

    It was a sweet revenge for Arsenal, who were sent packing in the quarterfinal of the FA Cup by Watford at The Emirates.

    Nigeria youngster Alex Iwobi outshone fellow Super Eagles star Odion Ighalo after he scored in Arsenal 4-0 win to further endanger Watford’s survival hopes in the Premier League.

    Iwobi, whose appearance for Nigeria was limited after he recovered from food poisoning on international duty last week, struck after 38 minutes courtesy of an assist by Alexis Sanchez, who laid the ball into the path of the youngster who only had to slide home from inside the box.

    It was the 19-year-old midfielder’s second goal in the Premier League.

    The impressive Iwobi was later substituted in the 74th minute.

    Ighalo, on the other hand, was replaced after 46 minutes when he failed to add to his 15-goal tally.

    Watford remain on 37 points, three points shy of the magical 40 points many reckon would keep a club up in the English top flight.

    It was a sweet revenge for Arsenal, who were sent packing in the quarterfinal of the FA Cup by Watford at The Emirates.

     

  • Iwobi, Onazi, Akpeyi join Eagles

    Iwobi, Onazi, Akpeyi join Eagles

    Former Super eagles coach Sunday Oliseh is expected to give his own version to why he suddenly quit his post with just a month to the crucial AFCON qualifiers against Egypt.

    “Sports Minister Solomon Dalung has insisted he be part of the committee’s hearing and so he will be in attendance on Thursday,” a sports ministry official informed.

    The sports minister ordered Oliseh not to be sacked when Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick presented a recommendation of the technical committee that the coach be fired.

    The NFF have maintained this briefing is a major distraction as the Super Eagles are preparing for must-win AFCON qualifiers against Egypt.

  • Henry, Wenger salute Iwobi

    Henry, Wenger salute Iwobi

    Nigeria international striker, Alex Iwobi, has received plaudits following his eye-catching performance for Arsenal in their 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday.

    The teenager making his first start in the Barclays Premier League for the Gunners scored his first senior goal and capped it up with a man-of-the-match outing at Goodison Park.

    The 19-year-old attacking winger has received encouraging words from his manager, Arsene Wenger and club legend, Thierry Henry.

    Wenger, who has shown faith in the Nigerian, branded Iwobi “an intelligent boy” while Henry believes that the youngster deserves to be part of the Arsenal setup following his hard work.

    Wenger said after the game: “He is an intelligent boy who loves the ball. He is very passionate about the game and wants to learn. I took him to train with the first team in pre-season and liked what I saw. He’s been improving quickly, month-by-month. That is why I integrated him into the team.”

    Iwobi, who is a nephew of former Nigeria midfielder, Austin ‘Jay Jay, Okocha, has been with Arsenal as a primary pupil and only inked a new deal in October last year.

    Despite being capped by England at under-16, 17 and 18 levels, he opted to play for Nigeria in the senior level and has made two appearances for the Super Eagles.

  • Kanu joins Iwobi’s praise singers

    Kanu joins Iwobi’s praise singers

    Former Arsenal star, Nwankwo Kanu has joined a growing list of admirers of Nigeria youngster ,Alex Iwobi after he posted a man-of-the-match display for Arsenal on Saturday.

    The 19-year-old Iwobi scored his first-ever Premier League goal for the London Gunners in an important 2-0 win at Everton.

    Arsene Wenger also started Iwobi for last week’s UEFA Champions League clash at Barcelona.

    “Well done Arsenal and well done Iwobi. Keep going and I wish you all the best,” Kanu saluted.

    Iwobi’s uncle, the legendary Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, was one of the first to congratulate the young midfielder.

    “So pleased with Alexi’s performance this afternoon. Delighted he got his first premiership goal…So proud of him. Wel-done Ojiogwu,” Okocha tweeted.

  • Iwobi warns Egypt

    Iwobi warns Egypt

    •Voted Man of the Match against Everton
    •Eagles star’s goal nails Toffees

    Alex Iwobi showed a glimpse of what to expect from him in the 2017 AFCON qualifier against the Pharaohs of Egypt after grabbing his first goal for Arsenal as the Gunners recorded a 2-0 victory over Everton at the Goodison Park yesterday.

    The young striker who made his debut for the Nigerian side in a friendly against DR Congo in Belgium on October 8, 2015 is also among the 19 foreign-based players invited by Samson Siasia for the double header against the Pharaohs of Egypt on March 25 and 29.

    In yesterday’s EPL game, the 19-year-old Nigeria international showed tremendous composure to score the Gunners second shortly before half-time after Danny Welbeck had broken the deadlock early with his fourth goal in nine games.

    After crashing out of the FA Cup and Champions League in the preceding seven days, it was an impressive statement of intent from Arsenal even though they still trail Leicester City and Tottenham in the table.

    Iwobi who was voted Barclay’s Man-of-the-Match was visibly chuffed after scoring his first Arsenal goal and took the opportunity to hail his partnership with Welbeck.

    Throughout the match, the two forwards linked up time and time again, and both managed to score during the 2-0 victory.

    Speaking after the match, Iwobi revealed how much he enjoys playing with Welbz, as the latter handed him his first Man of the Match award.

    “It’s not bad, I enjoyed the moment,” he smiled.

    “But I’m happy the team won. That’s the positive; that’s what we’re going to take into the next game.

    “I’m enjoying training and playing with [Welbeck], he gives me confidence and is always helping me and giving me advice. I’m enjoying playing with him.”

  • Brazil friendly Siasia invites Iwobi, Ekpolo 28 Others

    Brazil friendly Siasia invites Iwobi, Ekpolo 28 Others

    Dream Team VI coach Samson Siasia has announced a 30-player roster for the upcoming friendly against Brazil next month, with 21 foreign-based professionals making the squad list.

    Headlining the list of invitees are Arsenal striker Alex Iwobi, Barcelona fullback Godswill Ekpolo, CD Feirense pair Etebo Oghenekaro and Dele Alampasu, and CS Sfaxien star Junior Ajayi.

    Surprisingly, KAA Gent newbie Peter Olayinka, who is undergoing rehabilitation after damaging his ligament, was named to the roster announced on Friday afternoon.

    Former Torino starlet Sergio Uyi is in line to make his international debut having made the squad list.

    Nine home-based players led by Emmanuel Daniel, Erhun Obanor and Sincere Seth have been invited for the get-together.

    Invited Players

    Home Based

    Emmanuel Daniel

    Yusuf Mohammed

    Segun Oduduwa

    Erhun Obanor

    Sincere Seth

    Ndifreke Effiong

    Ubong Ekpai

    Bright Onyedikachi

    Stanley Dimgba

    Foreign Based

    Dele Alampasu

    Stanley Amuzie

    Usman Mohammed

    Azubuike Okechukwu

    Sadiq Popoola

    Etebo Oghenekaro

    Saviour Godwin

    Aminu Umar

    Alex Iwobi

    Iyayi Believe

    Junior Ajayi

    Taiwo Awoniyi

    Peter Olayinka

    Theophilus ? Solomon

    Godswill Ekpolo

    Sergio Uyi

    Ovbokha Agboyi

    Nathan Oduwa

    Musa Mohammed

    Saturday Ekiego

  • Dream Team VI vs Brazil friendly: Siasia picks Iwobi, Awoniyi

    •Ajayi,  Oduwa, Olayinka too

    Chief Coach of the Dream Team VI, Samson Siasia has concluded plans to present a strong team against Brazil in an international friendly tentatively fixed for March 24,  which falls under the FIFA window.

    Siasia, like he did when as the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, led the national team to beat Argentina 4-1 at the Abuja National Stadium, although without top stars like Lionel Messi, Tevez, Higuain, Mascherano is also bent on presenting a killer squad against Brazil in a match that would take place in a yet to be named venue in Brazil.

    The former Super Eagles coach on arrival from the United States of America where he went on vacation told SportingLife in Abuja that he has vowed to utilise  the FIFA free window to play international friendly matches to build a stronger team that won’t disappoint Nigeria in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil when the Olympic Football Tournament kicks off in August this year.

    “We have barely six months to the Olympics and I want to ensure we play international friendly matches within the FIFA window between now and August. That way we can bring our targeted players to play together and blend well. But this can only be done if they play together frequently and against good opponents”, Siasia disclosed.

    The Dream Team VI boss is ready to send letters of invitation to 19-year-old Glasgow Rangers of Scotland loanee, Nathan Oduwa who has rejoined his club Tottenham Hotspur and 20-year-old KAA Gent of Belgium forward, Peter Olayinka.

    Oduwa made 19 appearances for Rangers before returning to his English Premiership club, Tottenham.

    Other players that Siasia is looking to invite for the friendly includes the captain of the team, Azubuike Okechukwu, Alex Iwobi of Arsenal, Taiwo Awoniyi, Junior Ajayi and Victor Osimhen”, SportingLife reliably gathered.

  • Arsenal 2-1 Leicester: Iwobi missing

    Arsenal 2-1 Leicester: Iwobi missing

    Alex Iwobi was not involved in Arsenal´s 2-1 victory in the Premier League tie against Leicester City at the Emirates yesterday.

    Manager Arsene Wenger announced his starting lineup and the seven players that made the substitutes bench, without including the Nigeria international.

    Iwobi has been officially promoted to the Gunners first-team squad and practiced with the likes of Ozil, Sanchez and Walcott on Saturday only to be left out of the encounter.

    The 19-year-old has made four appearances in the Premier League so far this season, coming off the bench in all the games.

  • Iwobi won’t dump Arsenal

    Iwobi won’t dump Arsenal

    After featuring in another rare EPL tie last weekend at the Britannia Stadium where Arsenal held Stoke City to a goalless draw, Nigerian import, Alex Iwobi has told SportingLife that he is happy with his progress under Gunners‘ Boss, Arsene Wenger and would like to continue his learning process.

    Iwobi has played more first team games for Arsenal this season than previous terms and after another good display against Mark Hughes side last Sunday when he came on in the 72nd minute as Theo Walcott’s replacement the ex- England youth international is thrilled at another chance to impress Wenger.

    Speaking through his representative, Emeka Obasi, Iwobi told SportingLife that he is fortunate to play for Arsenal under Wenger and that he would continue to give his best to convince the Frenchman that he belongs to the Emirates Stadium based side and not elsewhere.

    “My client is happy to continue to play for Arsenal under Wenger. He is aware that breaking in into the first 11 will be a tough task but he is willing to give all to gradually warm himself into the heart of the Frenchman and the other technical officials,” Obasi who spoke on behalf of Iwobi said.

    Iwobi has played in some high profile matches for Arsenal including the 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup, the 5-1 loss to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League and the 3-1 victory over Sunderland in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup before the latest draw against Stoke City.

    He is part of the Arsenal side that is dictating the pace of the EPL as they are currently first on the log with 44 points from 22 matches ahead of weekend fixture against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.