Here’s why Arsenal opted to offload Alex Iwobi
Ex-Arsenal manager Unai Emery reportedly opted to get rid of Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi ahead of starlet Reiss Nelson last summer.
At the last count, Nelson has made 13 appearances for the Gunners this campaign and has continued to progress under new boss Mikel Arteta.
Iwobi joined Everton in a £35million deal on deadline day last August and that switch came about after the Spanish manager was keen on keeping the 20-year-old Nelson, according to The Athletic.
Premier League campaigners Crystal Palace were reportedly eager to land Nelson for £20m during the summer transfer window.
Nelson has featured in Arsenal’s last five games and netted the winning goal in their FA Cup third-round victory over Leeds on Monday night.
The winger’s other goal for the Gunners this term came in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
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On the other hand, Iwobi is currently recuperating from a hamstring injury he cropped during Everton’s 0-0 draw with his former club Arsenal late last year. The Nigerian international is expected to be sidelined for about ‘two to three weeks.’
Iwobi has netted just twice from 20 appearances across all competitions since leaving the Emirates Stadium last summer.