Alex Iwobi Opens Up About Sudden Arsenal Departure
Nigerian football international Alex Iwobi has provided a detailed account of how his exit from Arsenal Football Club unfolded, revealing the pivotal moments occurred while he was on vacation following the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The midfielder shared his experience during a recent podcast interview, shedding light on the sequence of events that led to his transfer to Everton.
The AFCON Aftermath and Unexpected Holiday Extension
Iwobi explained that he had just completed a strong performance at the AFCON competition when then Arsenal manager Unai Emery instructed him to take an additional two weeks off to enjoy a holiday. "I was away at AFCON. I had a good AFCON. I came back and Unai Emery told me to take two weeks extra and enjoy my holiday," Iwobi recalled. He traveled to Dubai with his family, expecting to return to his role at the club afterward.
The Pépé Signing That Raised Questions
While relaxing in Dubai, Iwobi learned that Arsenal had proceeded to sign winger Nicolas Pépé from Lille. This development immediately sparked concerns about his future at the North London club. "I was in Dubai with my family and then they signed Nicolas Pépé. I thought, if you really want me, why are you signing another winger?" he stated. The acquisition of another player in his position led him to question the club's commitment to him.
Everton's Interest and Arsenal's Quick Action
The situation escalated rapidly when Iwobi's agent contacted him to inform him of interest from Everton Football Club. Iwobi described being in the ocean in Dubai with poor mobile signal when the call came through, indicating that Everton manager Marco Silva wished to speak with him directly. Before he could even properly consider the offer, Arsenal had already taken decisive steps.
"Before I even had a chance to say yes or no, Arsenal basically said they don’t mind me going," Iwobi revealed. The club had swiftly forwarded his medical documents to Everton, effectively signaling their willingness to facilitate the transfer without awaiting his full consent.
Decision and Difficult Transition to Merseyside
After consulting with his parents and sister, Iwobi ultimately agreed to the move to Everton, acknowledging that it felt like the right time to step out of his comfort zone. However, he admitted the initial transition proved challenging. He spent months alone in a hotel room in Liverpool, grappling with loneliness, adapting to a new city, and being separated from his familiar support network of family and friends.
"I’ve always been an Arsenal kid. Arsenal was all I knew. So going somewhere else and staying in a dark hotel room by myself… it was tough," he confessed. Despite these early struggles, the Nigerian international eventually settled into his new environment and continued his professional career in the Premier League with Everton.
