The Super Eagles playmaker opted to leave the Gunners on transfer deadline day to team up with Marco Silva’s side for a transfer fee that saw him become the most expensive Nigeria buy ever and he has now revealed the rationale behind that decision.
Alex Iwobi has disclosed that the desire to scrap the ‘Arsenal youngster’ tag and make a name for himself aside being Okocha’s nephew prompted him to wave bye to the Londoners and say yes to the Goodison Park bosses, including the manager Marco Silva and Director of Football Marcel Brands.
“I spoke to the manager and Marcel and they almost lured me in,” Iwobi told evertontv.
🆕🔵: @alexiwobi! pic.twitter.com/b38Ea1oNOA
— Everton (@Everton) August 12, 2019
“The offer was too attractive for me to turn down.”
“The manager was telling me, ‘There is a spot for you, we will take care of you’. Basically, all the things you want to hear as a player.
“I always had that youngster tag at Arsenal, so hopefully with this move I am able to make a name for myself in the Premier League and create history with Everton.”
1⃣4⃣9⃣ games
2⃣3⃣ assists
1⃣5⃣ goals…and 1⃣ #NaijaBoy 🇳🇬
We've seen you go from boy to man, and @alexiwobi, it's been a pleasure 🤝 pic.twitter.com/I08BslEUQM
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 8, 2019
The Toffees really splashed the cash during a busy summer, bringing in seven highly-rated players with Iwobi being Everton’s final close-season recruit. Notable other new recruits include Moise Kean from Juventus, ex-Mainz’s Jean Philippe Gbamin and Andre Gomes, who signed permanently from Barcelona after starring on loan with the Club last term.
Everton’s ambition with these new acquisitions is not lost on the Nigeria international who can’t wait to begin a fresh chapter of his career.
“It is exciting times for Everton,” said Iwobi.
“I was able to look at the transfers and players they have brought in – some great talent.
“It is not just me.
Red ➡️ Blue
South ➡️ NorthThe best is yet to come, says @alexiwobi! 💪🔵
— Everton (@Everton) August 13, 2019
“There were quality players here before [the summer] and they are still here.
“The manager has worked with Richarlison for a long while and made a name for him.
“Hopefully he can do the same for not just me but Moise Kean and a few others who came in, too.”
Forward Alex Iwobi started 22 Premier League games for Arsenal last season and was directly involved in 10 goals – scoring three and assisting seven.
This post was last modified on August 14, 2019 4:15 am
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Kkkkkk you didn't dump arsenal mr. Iwobi, you bolted as you realised that pepe/cebarlos is coming to push you down the pecking order....
Iwobi did not say he "dumped" Arsenal. That is just click bait in the title and you bought the bait.
Over the last 20 years The EPL has had thousands of players only the best players became first team regulars and only a handful became established internationals (national team players).
Iwobi is both a first team regular and an established Nigerian international
Anyone familiar with top level football knows its a tough environment for young players.
Sometimes when a player moves on at the right time everything begins to fall into place
Once upon a time Szczęsny, Akpom and Gnabry could not nail down their positions at Arsenal..... fast forward to 2018-2019 season and these three are key players in title winning juventus PAOK and Bayern repectively.
Moreover transitioning from a youth player to a regular senior first team player in a big club is very difficult because of the presence of established senior players at the club or the fact that a senior player can be bought to man your position.. Fabregas and Pique were once sold by Barca as Youth prospects to English teams, Pogba was once not able to get into the Man U first team.
Ironically Iwobi himself has now gone to Everton as an established senior player .......
Right now Arsenal has several youth players that look like they can be first team players
Folarin balogun and Bukayo Saka two examples..... we shall see how it goes....... Super eagles coaches are you watching?
PS
According to Wikipedia as at April 2019 Chuba Akopm is Now a Nigerian International. Sometimes things can only get better when you settle down and start playing regularly. And it does not have to be at Arsenal.
Lovely submission. I couldn't agree any more.
Iwobi you didnt dump Arsenal you idiot !! The facts are they dumped you !! Simply because you are not good enough !! You cannot shoot you cannot tackle you cannot pass !! and every game you just look shit !! You might be able to impress at Everton with the likes of Walcott but at Arsenal even our youth players made you look like a fool !! Nelson is 100 times the player you ever will be and you know it that is why you agreed when Arsenal excepted Evertons offer !! You knew you had no chance of getting past Nelson into the team and you hate having to work hard and fight for your place !! fact !!
Alex Iwobi was and forever be a good player. I love his styles, his pattern of football not an aggressive player.ie let me use the word Passive he looks amazing in the pitch .He expliot every opportunity to be applied. Assuming Arsenal gave him that chance and opportunity he could have done better in the pitch than before. And you saying Nelson this and that , I don't support you, it's not true. Think of it Lionel Messi , Ronaldo , Neymar , they didn't come up in one day . Once a Gunner , always a Gunner. I wish him the best of luck. Train well and come back . I will be expecting you .