Alex Iwobi was forced out of Arsenal, says Okocha

Ex-Nigerian international Jay Jay Okocha and an uncle of Everton attacker Alex Iwobi has revealed the way through which Iwobi left his boyhood club Arsenal.

Iwobi joined Everton in the 2019 summer transfer window in a £34m deal and Okocha has made it clear he never wanted to leave but was obliged to when the offer came in.

“I must confess that the move from Arsenal to Everton wasn’t an easy one from him,” Okocha told Goal.

“He wasn’t expecting it, it just happened. He got a call that there’s a deal for him and that he must oblige that deal, which wasn’t easy for a young player who has played all his life at Arsenal.

“I think that must have taken him 12 months to get over, so he didn’t have the best season last year with Everton.”

Iwobi struggled for form and consistency in his first season at Everton first under Marco Silva before Carlo Ancelotti took over, under whom he had shown glimpses of his talent.

Ancelotti has played him majorly as a right wing back but he recently threw a public challenge at the Italian to play him in his favoured number 10 role. Ancelotti played him in the role in 2-1 home loss to Burnley.

“You can see that now he’s a bit more comfortable,” Okocha added. “He has finally realised that Liverpool is his home now. I think that without any doubt we will see an improved and better Alex Iwobi now.”

Iwobi represents Nigeria internationally though he played through the youth levels for England. He has been called up for the upcoming AFCON qualifier games against Benin and Lesotho.

Cover Image – Gareth Copley/Getty Images