Alex Iwobi has paid a glowing tribute to Arsene Wenger, Carlo Ancelotti and Jack Wilshere as he reflects on his Arsenal roots, Footynaija.com reports.
Alex Iwobi may be flying high at Fulham, but the Nigeria international still carries Arsenal close to his heart — especially when reflecting on the figures who helped shape his journey from Hale End prospect to Premier League mainstay.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Sticker Book challenge, the 28-year-old offered heartfelt praise for three footballing influences: Arsène Wenger, Carlo Ancelotti, and Jack Wilshere.
“[Wenger was] amazing,” Iwobi said.
“For young players coming through, he always gave them an opportunity to train, and if you’re good enough, you’re on the bench and get a chance to play. He always spoke to the youngsters, he always said believe in yourself and gave me the confidence to go and express myself.”
Arsène Wenger
Alex Iwobi can become a truly ‘top class’ player if he just adds more end product in terms of goals and assists to his game. pic.twitter.com/YyeLoK3rDS
— ARSENAL (@tomgunner14) September 22, 2017
Iwobi, who represented Arsenal from the age of eight and made 149 senior appearances, credits Wenger for nurturing his self-belief. He compared the Frenchman’s demeanour to that of Ancelotti, under whom he played at Everton.
“They (Wenger and Ancelotti) are very similar in the sense where they don’t really get angry, they’re very patient, they’re both men of few words, but when they walk in the room, it’s silent. That aura was crazy,” Iwobi revealed.
The Fulham midfielder also reserved special praise for Jack Wilshere, a player idolised by many at Arsenal’s academy.
“In the Hale End academy, everyone used to idolise and tried to play like him,” the 28-year-old Iwobi said of Wilshere.
“He had something called the Jack Wilshere turn, where the ball gets played to him and he turns without touching the ball, that’s literally what we tried to copy when we were youngsters.”
Wilshere’s mentorship made a lasting impact too.
“He used to be someone I looked up to,” Iwobi said. “Going into first team training, he was one of the guys who would take me in and make sure I was comfortable, he was like a big bro to me.”
Now thriving at Fulham with nine goals this season, Iwobi is proving the potential that Wenger once saw — but he remains rooted in the values and heroes of his Arsenal upbringing.