Nigerian international Alex
Iwobi has revealed that he is amazed by the level of support Arsenal have in
Nigeria, saying that supporters shouted his team’s name rather than his in an
international match. Arsenal have long had a
strong following in Africa’s most populous country, with the success enjoyed by
Nigerian great Nwankwo Kanu in north London between 1999 and 2004 at least
partially explaining the Gunners’ popularity.
Twitter data in 2015
placed Arsenal just ahead of local rivals Chelsea (who have had Olympic bronze
medallist Mikel John Obi in their squad for over a decade) as Nigeria’s most
popular side and Iwobi’s experience on his competitive debut for his national
side only serves to emphasise the devotion of supporters to Arsene Wenger’s
side.
“When I got to come on
against Egypt, I saw the love they have for the game,” Iwobi told ESPN Brasil.
They just shouted ‘Arsenal’.
“Even though they knew my
name, they just shouted Arsenal when I was coming on to the pitch, it was
actually funny.
“It’s amazing the support
they have for the club. They’re all very passionate for football and their
favourite league is definitely the Premier League.”
Iwobi was the subject of a
last-minute tussle between the Football Association and the Nigerian FA over
his senior international future, with the Arsenal winger having represented
England at youth level but opting to represent the country of his birth.
That will allow him to
follow in the footsteps of his uncle Jay-Jay Okocha, one of the 1996 gold
medal-winning side at the Atlanta Olympics. And it is little surprise that the
20-year-old holds his relative in such high regard.
“He was a big figure in
Africa, as well in Nigeria,” Iwobi added. “He’s always been my idol.
“He doesn’t only help me
on the pitch, he also helps me off the pitch, which is a key thing for me.”
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