Alex Iwobi is close to signing a new deal with Arsenal, head coach Unai Emery has confirmed.
Iwobi, whose contract runs to 2020, made 26 appearances in the Premier League last season.
And the Nigeria international will soon renew his contract to commit his future to Arsenal, Emery told reporters ahead of an International Champions Cup meeting with former club Paris Saint-Germain.
Iwobi played no part in the 3-1 penalty shoot-out defeat to Atletico Madrid, having only just returned from a break following his exertions for Nigeria at the World Cup.
“Mesut [Ozil], Iwobi, [Mohamed] Elneny are starting to work with us, the first week is very good. My information is he is going to sign and continue with us.”
Emery’s squad has been boosted by five new arrivals, with Lucas Torreira, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Bernd Leno and Matteo Guendouzi joining since last season.
The Gunners have been linked with further signings ahead of August’s deadline, but Emery is content with the group at his disposal.
“I believe in these players,” Emery added. “Now, I am very happy with the players. On Monday, other players come with us after the World Cup.
“If there is a possibility to sign a player, it isn’t very important now, but while the window is open, we can.”
Iwobi was born in Lagos before moving to England at the age of four. He is the nephew of former professional footballer Jay-Jay Okocha.
Iwobi joined Arsenal while still at primary school, and was first involved in a first-team match as an unused substitute in a League Cup match against West Bromwich Albion on 25 September 2013. He signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal in October 2015.
On 27 October 2015, Iwobi made his first-team debut for the club, starting in a 3–0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the Round of 16 of the League Cup.
He made his Premier League debut 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. He represented scored the goal tha booked Nigerai’s place in the 2018 World Cup and was part of the squad that was knocked out of the Tournament in the Group stages