Former Super Eagles Star Kanu Nwankwo Says Iwobi Should Have Stayed At Arsenal

Former Super Eagles captain Kanu Nwankwo has expressed his dissatisfaction towards Arsenal over their decision to sell Alexander Iwobi to Everton last summer.

Iwobi who was a product of Arsenal’s academy was sold to the Toffees on deadline day for 35m pounds which could rise to 40 based on performances. His move has generated arguments with many questioning if Arsenal made the right decision or not.

Ian Wright is one of the big names that have criticised Arsenal’s decision to sell the 23-year-old. And now, another Gunners legend, Kanu Nwankwo, has now shared Wright’s opinion, saying he does not understand the reason for the decision.

The former Nigerian international who spent five years with the North London side believes the club should have kept Iwobi because he loves the club.

“I would say they made a mistake, 100 per cent. “Why they let him go, I don’t know. He’s a boy who, in and out, is Arsenal. He always wanted to do his best for the club.

He loves the club, but not only that he can play football. “What he brings week in, week out, the fans need to appreciate that, Kanu said in an interview with Goal where Soccernet.ng got excerpts from.

He also added that Iwobi would have given his all for the club because he’s a boy who knows what it means to play for Arsenal having come up through club’s academy.

“I think he is still young and those are the type of people you want in the team, people who grew up here, who knows everything about the club and wants to die for the club.

“He was one of them, so for us to lose him and to let him go, was a shock. I couldn’t really believe we did it, but that’s football.”

The former Ajax star also revealed he would have told Iwobi to stay at Arsenal had it been he knew about the transfer earlier.

It was a surprise to everybody because it happened right at the end of the window,” said Kanu. “If I knew earlier, I could have said to him not to go and that it was better for him to stay.

“I would have said that there was no need for him to go because at Arsenal he will still play. He’s that good and he needs to know that.

“I think Arsenal would have been the best place for him because it’s a big club and you want to play in a big club and in Europe. Those are the games you want to play.”