Everton Give Iwobi A Rare Honour Ahead Of Arsenal Clash

The Super Eagles star will face his former club for the first time since he joined Everton on deadline day for 35m pounds.

And ahead of the clash, Everton decided to use Iwobi as the cover for their matchday programme. He came through the Arsenal ranks and made 149 appearances for the senior team, scoring 15 goals.

But the Nigerian international decided to end his Arsenal adventure when Everton came calling in June and will be facing his former club for the first time.

Iwobi who scored his first Arsenal goal against the Toffees said he is relishing the opportunity of facing his former club.  The 23-year-old also revealed he decided to leave the emirates because he wanted to be a man.

“I could move away and become a man,” Iwobi says. “It is the start of something new. The ambitions here excited me.

“I was on the bench for my first game at Goodison, against Watford [in August], and felt, ‘Wow, the fans are like the 12th man’. “When the Evertonians are behind us and we’re doing well, we feel unstoppable, Iwobi said in Everton's matchday programme. 

Everton are rejuvenated under interim manager Duncan Ferguson having taken four points from their last two games.

The Scot took over from Marco Silva and has turned Everton's fortunes around. The Toffees defeated Chelsea in Ferguson's first game in charge, while they managed an impressive draw against Man Utd at Old Trafford.

Although they lost the league cup quarter-final clash against Leicester City via penalty shootout, Ferguson is confident the fans can roar the team to victory against the gunners.

“I’ve never disguised my feelings about Evertonians, I think you’re a magical set of fans,” he writes.

“But feeling that depth of support as the man on the touchline has opened my eyes even further to the impact you have on this team.

“And the attitude of those players is the other factor which has contributed to this being one of the best periods of my life.

“I’ve demanded an awful lot from them – and it’ll be no different today – and the way they’ve responded has made me incredibly proud.”