Alex Iwobi has thanked England for their attempts to persuade him to play for them over Nigeria and described his decision to turn them down as “difficult”.
The 19-year-old made his Arsenal debut last October and has gone on to make 16 appearances in all competitions as well as breaking into the Nigeria squad at international level.
Iwobi revealed that England had contacted him in an attempt to get him to represent them having played for the Three Lions at youth level, but he ultimately chose Nigeria – the nation of his birth.
“It was a difficult decision picking Nigeria over England,” he told Arsenal’s official website.
“England did contact me recently before I played my first competitive match for Nigeria, asking if I wanted to play for England. I’m very proud to represent Nigeria but I would like to say thank you to England for the chance they gave me, it was a difficult decision.
“The love Nigeria showed me, when I played for them in a friendly, the fans were just crazy. The fans almost eat you up because they love you so much. I’m enjoying playing for them.
“When you are getting out of the airport there are fans already there screaming ‘Arsenal, Arsenal. Gunners for life!’ and it’s just mad.
“Some of them have Arsenal shirts and then others will ask me for Arsenal shirts. It’s a bit mad and the fans are crazy.”
The Arsenal youngster has praised the passion of Nigeria football fans after he made his official debut for the country last month.
Iwobi featured in the two AFCON qualifiers against Egypt last month after he featured in a number of friendlies last year.
He said England had contacted him about playing for them at full international level, but he opted for Nigeria.
“The love Nigeria showed me… when I played for them in a friendly, the fans were just crazy. The fans almost eat you up because they love you so much. I’m enjoying playing for them,” Iwobi told the Arsenal website.
“When you’re getting out of the airport there are fans already there screaming ‘Arsenal, Arsenal. Gunners for life!’ and it’s just mad. Some of them have Arsenal shirts and then others will ask me for Arsenal shirts. It’s a bit mad and the fans are crazy.”
He added: “I was hoping to contribute to the team and I came on for eight minutes (for my debut). I was buzzing and all the fans were clapping and singing songs. The second game we unfortunately lost and went out of the Africa Cup of Nations, but that moment was crazy and a great feeling.
“Hopefully I can play more competitions for them.”
Arsenal’s rising starlet Alex Iwobi has revealed that the Football Association made a last-ditch effort to convince him to play for England’s national team but failed.
The 19-year-old was forced to make the difficult decision after Nigeria called him up to their senior side for a recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt. Despite a final plea from England, he chose the Super Eagles and played in both legs to end any speculation over his international future.
Having moved to London at the age of four and acquiring 11 appearances for the Three Lions across several different age groups, it was a decision that surprised many.
And as he becomes a more prominent star for the Gunners, it is one that is likely to come under the spotlight many times over the ensuing years. Indeed, fans are already wondering why England allowed such a talented youngster to slip through their fingers.
But Iwobi has attempted to explain exactly why he made the decision to represent the country of his birth. Although he admits that late phone call made his decision a little bit harder, he says it is the fanatical fans that convinced him to play for the West African nation.
