Date: 16th November 2016 at 7:05pm
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Breakthrough Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi has revealed he awaited a loan move call before the start of this season and did not expect to be where he is today.

Iwobi, who joined Arsenal at the age of 7 was shocked after Arsene Wenger opted to keep him at The Emirates and has praised the boss for keep faith in him.

“I thought a long time ago that I’d be on loan and probably get experience there before having experience in the first team,” the Nigeria international told Arsenal Player.

“But the fact that the boss trusted me to jump into the first team as quick as I did, I’m just grateful for it.”

It has been a stark rise in fortune and opportunity for the 19-year-old former Arsenal academy member since being blooded into the first team with 13 appearances last season.

His performances this season, in which he has demonstrated his attacking threat and youthful exuberance, have seen him establish a starting place on the right ahead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey.

Mesut Ozil is the only outfield player to have more appearances than the Nigerian this season and Iwobi’s impact has rewarded him with 7 Premier League starts.

Iwobi is yet to net this season, but says he’s doing his utmost to keep his place.

“I play like it’s almost like my last game, I treat it like it’s my last moment here, so I do my best and I always put 100 per cent into whatever I do.

“If you don’t do as well as you think you could’ve done, there’s other players, other international, great players, that can just step in.” the teenager added.

 

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