Nigerian forward Alex Iwobi is one talented player who has been drawing attention for his impressive soccer abilities. He has emerged one of the most influential players in the Nigerian national team having helped the Super Eagles to qualify for World Cup. The Arsenal forward who didn’t fail to live up to his star billing in eagles pre-world cup friendly games is a player to watch out for in Russia.
Here are some facts about the rising star who’s all set to make his World Cup debut:
Who’s Alex Iwobi?
Alex Iwobi is a professional footballer who plays as forward for Arsenal football club and Super Eagles of Nigeria. Born in Lagos, Nigeria on May 3, 1996 to Mr. and Mrs. Chuba Iwobi, Alex is a nephew to ex-Super Eagles charismatic midfielder, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha.
Early life.
At the age of 4, Alex moved to London with his family. He became good friends with Tyrell Robinson, with whom he started playing football in the neighbourhood of his home. Both boys went on to become professional footballers. While Iwobi played for Arsenal, Tyrell grew up to play for Bradford City.
When did he start playing football ?
He joined Arsenal at the age of 8 whilst still in primary school and developed a life where he multi tasked playing football and studying.
Rising Profile
Alex signed long-term contract with Arsenal in October 2015. On October 27, 2015, Iwobi debuted for the Gunners, starting in a 3–0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the Round of 16 of the League Cup. He made his Premier League début four days later in a 3–0 win against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, as a stoppage time substitute for Mesut Özil. Iwobi made his Champions League debut as an 85th-minute substitute in a 5–1 defeat against Bayern Munich. Iwobi started in the first team for the 2015–16 FA Cup 3rd and 4th round home wins against Sunderland and Burnley respectively. After getting a first Champions League start in a 3–1 away defeat to Barcelona, Iwobi went on to score two goals in his first two Premier League starts in wins against Everton, and Watford, respectively. Iwobi went on to feature throughout Arsenal’s victorious FA Cup campaign of 2016–17. He also earned a winners medal as being part of the squad that beat Chelsea by 2 goals to 1 in the final of such. He achieved further success with Arsenal in the 2017 Community Shield, in which Arsenal beat Chelsea on penalties.
International Career
Iwobi began his international career as a youth international for England, with whom he won the Victory Shield of 2011 before he went on to play for Nigeria. He made his senior debut for the Super Eagles on October 8, 2015, replacing Ahmed Musa in the 57th minute of a 2–0 friendly defeat to DR Congo in Visé, Belgium. His best moment for Super Eagles was when he scored for Nigeria in a 1–0 win over Zambia to secure the Super Eagles a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Following his contribution to Super Eagles World Cup qualification, he was named in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2018 edition of the mundial in Russia.