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Iwobi - I have Arsenal blood in my veins

By Lloyd Webb

Alex Iwobi says he has “has Arsenal blood” in his veins after growing up at the club.

The Nigeria international joined as a schoolboy, before rising through the ranks of the academy and making his first-team debut against Sheffield Wednesday in October.

Iwobi has since made 20 appearances this season and scored twice, and is enjoying every moment of playing for his boyhood club.

"It is all good to have the ability, to be able to play football and be the best, but how you are as a person is also key"

Alex Iwobi

"I have always loved Arsenal,” he told Arsenal Player. “When I was young, I was always waiting to watch the legends of the club play. You could say I have the blood of Arsenal in me!

“I have seen the picture of me [signing as child] in the yellow top. I remember signing - that moment was crazy, I remember smiling so much. My mum and dad were proud of me and they were there waiting for me.

"It has been a bumpy ride [since then]. It has been a rollercoaster with a lot of ups and a few downs that I have had to get over in the past. Certainly now there are a lot more positives in my career.

"As a youngster, the main thing for me was confidence. I would always be in the background and I wouldn’t take the game or be who I am right now. I always relied on other people, but I think having my family and friends around me gave me a bit more confidence and they told me what I needed to work on.

"Once I worked on that, I was able to overcome it and thank God get the contract which was good enough for me.

"It is all good to have the ability, to be able to play football and be the best, but how you are as a person is also key. To keep trying to be your best, to keep working hard and be humble with it, that is the key to making it as a footballer."

 

Bellerin and Iwobi celebrate

Hector Bellerin and Alex Iwobi celebrate