Iwobi: Nigeria Treated Me Like King, And I’m At Home With Eagles

Alex Iwobi (left) in action against Sydney FC in one of Arsenal’s pretty season friendly recently 

Arsenal youngster, Alex Iwobi has revealed why he dumped England to play for his fatherland, Nigeria.

Iwobi, who is currently on training tour of the Gunners in Australia, chose Nigeria’ Super Eagles over England after representing the Three Lions at various age groups. And he also revealed then manager Roy Hodgson tried to intervene.

‘Originally, I’m from Nigeria,’ he said. ‘I always felt comfortable there. It was a hard decision because I’d played for England but I felt more at home there and I’m treated like a king.

‘As I was about to play my first match (for Nigeria) Roy Hodgson was in contact with Arsenal saying we’d like him to get involved with the Under 21s but my mind was made up.’

Meanwhile, Iwobi believes the forthcoming football season will be the biggest of his life.

The Arsenal winger flitted in and out of Arsene Wenger’s side last year but wants to make himself a first-team regular this time around.

Nigeria international Iwobi, 21, set up new £52m Alexandre Lacazette for his first Gunners goal in Sydney on Thursday night, and wants to carry that form into the new campaign.

‘I have a point to prove,’ he said.

‘I didn’t play as much as I’d like to last year. I want to start the season with a bang.’
Iwobi is in Sydney with the rest of the Gunners squad on the first leg of their pre-season tour but he revealed he has been working on his game throughout the summer.

‘I’ve been doing a bit of running and ballwork to prepare,’ he said.

‘I need to be a bit more hungry this year, add more goals and assists. At the start of last season I played a lot. I want to do that all year. Consistency is the key with me.’

Iwobi is targeting a fast start to the new season and a run in the Arsenal first team
‘He hugged me after and said thank you,’ he said. ‘It was nice to help him get off the mark for Arsenal. I wouldn’t say I did it all for him. He did well.’