Most used Nigerian in PL history considered move to Celtic, Crystal Palace while at Arsenal

Alex Iwobi has admitted that he considered a move to Scottish powerhouse Celtic and Premier League side Crystal Palace in his final season as a schoolboy at Arsenal.

After being told by Arsenal that he would not be offered a professional contract in addition to his scholarship, the Hale End Academy product had to to weigh his options.

Seeing his England youth international teammates at the club receive both scholarship and professional contracts left Iwobi feeling disheartened about not being offered the same opportunity.

However, Alex's dad Chuka Iwobi, managed to convince him to accept the scholarship offer from the Gunners.

Iwobi has carved out a successful career for himself in the Premier League, and is the most utilized Nigerian player in the history of the competition, logging 19,002 minutes spread across 279 matches, including 100 in the colours of boyhood club Arsenal.

He joined Arsenal at the age of eight as a schoolboy with the Gunners beating London rivals West Ham United to his signature. 

"When I was younger, there were so many times I was told I was not good enough and that was just another moment," Iwobi said on Fulham Fix Podcast Episode 32.

"I was the only one playing for England at the time that didn't get offered a professional contract. I only had a scholar and they said if you want to go, you can go.

"I was meant to go to Celtic, I went to see Crystal Palace and there was one more team. 

"I remember going to Crystal Palace's training ground at 16 and my dad said I have been in this position before where they said you're not good enough, go and prove them wrong again. I'm going to sign my scholar."

Iwobi is having his best season in the Premier League since turning professional in terms of goal involvements, tallying ten in 26 matches. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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