An England call-up forced the club’s hand
Arsenal’s young star Alex Iwobi has admitted that he was almost released by the club when he was 14 years of age.
Iwobi, who is now 20-years old, broke into the first team at the back end of last season and became a regular under Arsene Wenger.
And he scored two goals in 13 successful appearances, but the Nigeria international insists it hasn’t always been rosy for him in North London.
He joined the Gunners when he was eight, however, the club and himself nearly went their separate ways just five years later.
‘I questioned myself a lot’
When speaking to Arsenal Magazine, Iwobi said: “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.
“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,” added the winger.
