Alex Iwobi : It Helps That I Am Related To Austin Okocha

Arsenal striker Alex Iwobi has vowed to follow in the footsteps of his uncle and ex-Bolton Wanderers skipper Austin Okocha.

The 19-year-old is aware that he has to keep working hard at training and catch the eye of manager Arsene Wenger if he is to get more first-team opportunities.

“I see it helps me [to be related to Jay-Jay Okocha] and it gives me guidance, [it shows] what I need to work on and what I need advice on so it has helped me over the years,” Iwobi told arsenal.com.

“I don’t see it as pressure [to be related to him] but he is someone I look up to as motivation as I try to be better than him.”

The Nigeria international added : “It is very hard. You need to train well every day and you have to be in the boss’ eye and his mind all the time so that is what I’m trying to do all the time.

"I was just hoping to go out and learn but to play for Arsenal’s first team means so much [to me] because when I play I think about all I have done to get to where I am and I feel so happy to do it.”

Alex Iwobi has been given a run-out in seven matches for Arsenal’s first team so far this season and has racked up 193 minutes of playing time.