Iwobi expected to leave Arsenal on loan

United Kingdom - Super Eagles man, Alex Iwobi says he expected to be sent on loan by English Premier League club, Arsenal before the start of the current season.

The Nigeria forward says playing for Arsenal’s first team at this stage of his career has come to him as a shock.

Iwobi joined the North Londoners as a youngster and rose through the ranks before making his senior Gunners debut in a pre-season friendly last summer.

Arsene Wenger opted to keep Iwobi at the Emirates Stadium and, after making 13 Premier League appearances last season, the 19-year-old has established himself as a regular this term.

“Honestly I didn't expect to be where I am today.

“I thought a long time ago that I'd be on loan and probably get experience there before having experience in the first team.

"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." www.arsenal.com

Mesut Ozil is the only outfield player to have made more league appearances than Iwobi this season.

Things could however become more complicated for the Nigerian in the coming days with established stars like Olivier Giroud, Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott returning to the team after injuries.

Iwobi is relishing the competition for places at Arsenal and is determined not to rest on his laurels with plenty of other players ready to step in if he slips up.

“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.

“So you just have to take the chance all the time and do your best when the time comes,” the teenager added.

Iwobi is yet to score in nine league appearances for Arsenal this season.