Breakthrough Arsenal star reveals he was almost released

One of Arsenal’s newest stars has revealed he was almost released before his dramatic rise last season, during an interview with Arsenal’s official magazine.

Alex Iwobi, who rise to prominence with Arsenal last season and scored twice in 13 league appearances, was speaking to the latest issue of the magazine, when he was asked about his development in north London- a club he’s been with since he was eight.

“Well I was on trial at six, and I think I was eight when I signed. I nearly got released when I was 13 or 14, so back then I really didn’t think I would make it here.”

“There was a stage when I wasn’t playing up above my age group, but all the better players were. I questioned myself a lot at that age about whether I was good enough, but I eventually got through it.”

“They did keep me on and I guess since then that’s when I really kicked on. I played in the Nike Cup (youth tournament) shortly after that, and then England called me up and things started moving.”