Super Eagles midfielder
Alex Iwobi has stated that he almost left Arsenal for London rivals Crystal
Palace.
The 22-year-old has been a
revelation for the Gunners this season after the departure of long-term manager
Arsene Wenger.
Alex Iwobi
Iwobi recently signed a new
long-term contract with the Gunners and is set to stay at the Emirates Stadium
for a while.
However, in a recent
statement, Iwobi has stated that he could easily be playing for Arsenal’s city
rivals Crystal Palace.
Iwobi on Crystal Palace
Iwobi made the statement in
Arsenal’s matchday programme, where he revealed that the club may have given up
on his development as a professional footballer.
He said, "My situation
was weird.
"There was three of us
at the time and we were basically told 'stay if you want, or if not you are
free to go."
"It was up to me and
at that moment I went to the Crystal Palace training ground to see them.”
Asides Crystal Palace,
Iwobi also revealed that another Premier League giant Southampton as well as
Scottish Premier League side Celtic.
Iwobi on Celtic and
Southampton
He said, "I had offers
from Celtic and Southampton as well. Celtic was the main one but I wasn't ready
to go to Scotland. I thought it was best to stay at Arsenal but I have to say
it felt weird.
"I was playing for
England but I felt maybe I wasn't rated. My England team-mates and everyone
else were getting in my ear saying that Arsenal don't love me because they
weren't offering me a deal.
"It was hard
especially because at school as well everyone was talking about it."
Iwobi, however, has since
switched his nationality to represent the Super Eagles of Nigeria dumping the
Three Lions of England.
The Nigerian international
will hope to continue his good form when Arsenal host Qarabag FK in the Europa
League on Thursday, December 13.
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