Football
ESPN staff 8y

Arsenal prefer to keep Alex Iwobi at club, not send him out on loan - father

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would prefer not to let Alex Iwobi go out on loan this season, the 19-year-old's father says.

Iwobi scored for Arsenal against Lyon in the preseason Emirates Cup but has not played for the club since, though he was an unused substitute in the Community Shield victory over Chelsea.

But despite his son's lack of playing time, Chuka Iwobi said Arsenal don't want the midfielder to gain experience elsewhere this season.

"A few clubs in the United Kingdom and abroad have approached Arsenal to take Alex on loan but Arsene Wenger wants him to be with the first team because he did very well in preseason," Chuka Iwobi told Goal.

"Alex's preferred option at this stage is to go on loan to gain first team experience and come back to Arsenal later on to fight for a place."

Alex Iwobi is the nephew of former Nigerian star Jay-Jay Okocha and earned a call-up to the Nigeria senior team last month, despite a history of playing for England at the under-16, 17 and 18 levels.

His father said a loan is still possible once he returns from international duty.

"Hopefully a loan move will be sorted out by the time Alex comes back from international duties," Chuka Iwobi said. "As regards the likely club Alex will play for on loan, at the moment discussions are ongoing."

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