Academy Manager Says Alex Iwobi Has Surprised Everyone At Arsenal

Arsenal Academy manager Andries Jonker has once again showered praise on Super Eagles rising star Alex Iwobi, stating that he never knew the attacking midfielder will break into the Gunners first team.

Having impressed coach Arsene Wenger at training, Iwobi was handed his debut against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup and managed 21 appearances in total over the course of the 2015-16 season, scoring 2 goals in the Premier League.

“He’s the example of a good player who has not been identified by anybody as a potential first-team player,” said Jonker to Arsenal Player, according to arsenal.com.

“Many, many people seem to think you have to recognise an under-nine as a potential first-team player.

“When you spend a long time in youth football, you understand that you will never know.”

Despite breaking into the first team, Alex Iwobi has remained modest and continued to work hard during training and competitive fixtures.

“There are positive and negative surprises, but Alex is one of those boys who has continued to work hard, and kept his commitment and dedication no matter what has happened.

“In the end he made it and he has been a big surprise to everyone at Arsenal but we all love it. He’s surprised us all.”

Iwobi, who has been at Arsenal since the age of eight, started the Super Eagles friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg late last month.

Igho Kingsley