'Wenger said no'  - Iwobi reveals legendary Arsenal coach blocked him from playing in Rio 2016

Alex Iwobi has opened up on the circumstances that led to his nonparticipation in the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil seven years ago.

Six weeks before the start of the competition, the then Dream Team VI coach Samson Siasia selected the Hale End Academy graduate in a 35-man provisional squad. 

Iwobi trialed with the Olympic Eagles in 2015 and traveled with the squad for an African Games qualifier against Gabon but wasn't dressed for the game as there was confusion over his eligibility to suit up for Nigeria, having represented England at youth level in the past. 

The attacking midfielder cum winger was just breaking into the Arsenal first team in 2016 and risked incurring the wrath of legendary Gunners manager Arsene Wenger if he honored the invitation from the Nigeria Football Federation. 

Iwobi set a trend on dual nationals choosing to represent Nigeria over England, with the likes of Ola Aina, Joe Aribo, Josh Maja, Calvin Bassey and Ademola Lookman later following in his footsteps. 

On his decision to switch allegiance from England to Nigeria, Iwobi said to The Beautiful Game Podcast : "I played for England U16-U19, then I stopped getting called up and then Nigeria approached me to come and trial for their Olympics team and I said why not, let me see what it's like.

"I really enjoyed it but just to get the approval from FIFA to play took a long time. 

"And then I got called to go to the Olympics but Arsene Wenger said no he had me in his plans and Olympics goes into the start of the season. 

"When I saw that and I thought I'm going to really miss a chance to play but Arsene Wenger said he needed me.

"It's a big statement Arsene Wenger saying he's going to need you for Arsenal so I did understand it. Then ever since I got called for the first team."

Iwobi made his Super Eagles debut in an international friendly against Democratic Republic of Congo on October 8, 2015 and became cap-tied to the three-time African champions five months later when he came off the bench in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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