Wenger On Why Iwobi Chose Nigeria : England Didn't Really Push

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has revealed that Alex Iwobi opted to represent the Super Eagles at senior international level because England were dragging their feet in their pursuit of his services.

The Hale End Academy product turned out for England at U16, U17 and U18 level before committing his international future to his country of birth in 2015.

''He had the potential to play for England and for Nigeria. Today he looks very happy with Nigeria. When I speak to him, he’s had very positive experiences,'' Wenger told Arsenal Player, according to arsenal.com.

''He brings his quality to Nigeria - he’s absolutely a creative player going forward. He’s very strong in small spaces and he’s starting to score goals as well.

''For a while it was open between England and Nigeria, and England didn’t really push for Alex during that period. Nigeria were more willing to have him.

''I’ve seen many times that sons of parents from Nigeria want to go back to their parents’ country.''

Having made his international debut in a friendly against Democratic Republic of Congo in October 2015, Iwobi became cap-tied to Nigeria when he played the last eight minutes of an African Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt in March 2016.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel