Fake News! Iwobi denies issuing quit notice to Arsenal
Alex Iwobi has denied a story that went viral which stated that he may quit Arsenal if the English Premier League side sign £80million-rated Wilfried Zaha.
Iwobi admitted granting an exclusive interview to The Sun but accused the British Tabloid of twisting his words to fit into the narratives that he would not just remain at the Emirates if manager Unai Emery decides to bench him for Zaha.
Fresh from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt where he helped the Super Eagles of Nigeria to win the bronze medal, Iwobi took to the social media to debunk the story which has already elicited angry reactions from a section of the Gunners’ fans.
“Fake News & Click Bait! I Don’t know Why Some Newspapers Enjoy Twisting Words 🤷🏽♂️🙄. I Hope We Sign World Class Players @Arsenal. And Progress As A Team 🙏🏽. I’m Looking Forward To The New Season. Happy Sunday 😊” The Nigerian International posted on his official Twitter handle yesterday.
In the story published on the website of the British newspaper, Iwobi admitted he may be forced to quit Arsenal if he loses his place to Wilfried Zaha.
Iwobi warned: “I am not one to chicken out. I have had it all over the years, being told I’m not good enough.
“So whenever the chance comes I always try and prove I should be starting. But it’s going to be difficult if Zaha comes. He will add more stress.
“I am up for the fight but the only time I would consider leaving is if I am not playing as much as I would like to.Obviously, my joy is to play football and not just sit out.
“If it comes to that I would have no choice but to leave. But I would always put up a fight to play — that is what I have done all my life.
“We have big stars already, so by adding another one I’ll just have to prove I can do better than them.”
Iwobi is no stranger to overcoming adversity, however, after being told he would never make it in the Arsenal academy.
Speaking at the African Nations Cup, where Iwobi helped Nigeria finish third, he declared: “I was still at school when I was hearing that.
“Maybe you think: ‘Football is not for you and you don’t want to play no more.’ But it’s good to have that self-motivation to believe that you can prove your critics wrong.
We went unbeaten for 22 games in all competitions last season and it’s that level of consistency we need.
“I am here today, so it didn’t affect me. Whenever someone tells me something negative I will just ignore it and try and prove to them that I am better than they think.”
Iwobi also had to endure jibes from a minority of Gunners fans who moan he fails to produce his international form for his club.
He added: “Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I respect that and I am not one to retaliate.
“But I do play in a different position for Nigeria, as an attacking midfielder with a sense of freedom. I am more comfortable playing there.
“However, if I am told to play on the left or the right, or left-back — like I have sometimes — I will always do my best.”