So its been a few weeks, but Alex Iwobi has officially opened up on his new Arsenal contract, and is now looking to make everyone proud. Iwobi has spent his entire career with us and made his first-team debut back in October 2015, and became an integral part of Arsene Wenger’s final season at the Emirates, cementing his place on the right side of midfield, despite many fans believing he never produced enough quality.
But despite all the abuse and media attention over whether or not he deserves a new contract at the club, the Nigerian International is now looking to make the fans and his beloved Arsenal ‘proud’.
“It’s always been my childhood dream to represent Arsenal,” Iwobi said on Arsenal.com. “To get an extended contract is an amazing feeling and I hope I’m doing the Arsenal family proud, as well as my family.
“The first kit that I had was Arsenal and long may I continue to represent them.
“I always realise that I have to be representing the team and giving 100 per cent at all times. It’s not just myself or my family I’m representing, I also represent the people and the younger generation as well.
“There’s always going to be pressure in football and it’s always amazing for young kids, especially at Hale End [where his shirt adorns the wall], to look up to me. So I’ll try and continue making them proud.”
Although I am not a big fan of the winger and would have preferred Unai Emery went out and splashed some cash on Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman or Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey, it is always nice to see a young player show a desire and determination to show all doubters wrong.
He may not score ten-plus goals a season and may not even create that much for Auba and Lacazette to feed off, but he wants to work his arse off and make sure he leaves the pitch having given everything.
Some players at the club do no deserve to be handed a new deal, as they are simply here for the money. But Iwobi has always wanted to play for Arsenal and hopefully he develop into a top-class Premier League winger.
He deserves his new contract.
Iomie