Retired Nigeria international Austin Okocha has dropped a big hint that his nephew Alex Iwobi might be farmed out on loan to a club below the Premier League in the January transfer window, despite penning a long - term contract with Arsenal before jetting out for international duty.<br /><br />The ex Bolton Wanderers star has opined that Iwobi is in the long - term plans of The Gunners, hence, their decision to tie him down to a new deal, with the previous agreement between club and player set to expire on June 30, 2016.<br /><br />&ldquo;Alex Iwobi signing a new contract shows the club have a long - term plan for him and it shows how good he is. To be offered a new contract shows they are planning with him, &rdquo; Austin Okocha told <b>allnigeriasoccer.com</b>.<br /><br />&ldquo;At the beginning of the season, Arsene Wenger said he wasn&rsquo;t going to give him out on loan but it&rsquo;s better for him to be playing so he may go on loan in January.&rdquo;<br /><br />Regarding Iwobi&rsquo;s invitation to the national team, Okocha said that the striker deserved his call - up and pointed out that the youngster had a good pre - season with Arsenal.<br /><br />&ldquo;He deserves his call - up to the Nigeria squad, he had a good pre - season and that&rsquo;s when people saw him.<br /><br />&ldquo;If we have plans of building a new team, then, it is better we catch them young. It&rsquo;s a well deserved call - up. And it is encouraging for the younger ones who are coming up that they&rsquo;ll get their own chance, &rdquo; Austin Okocha concluded.<br /><br />The 19 - year - old Alex Iwobi, who turned out 11 times for England&rsquo;s youth teams, could make his debut for the Super Eagles on Thursday against Democratic Republic of Congo.<br /><br /><b>Editor</b><br /><br />Photo Credit : thenff.com<br />