Alex Iwobi reveals how he almost joined Celtic

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Dec 12, 2018. 10:00

Nigerian nearly swapped London for Glasgow when he was just 16.

Arsenal’s Nigerian star Alex Iwobi has revealed how he almost joined Scottish giants Celtic when he was just a teenager.

The 22-year-old Super Eagles star is an important part of the Gunners’ squad today and is making impressive progress under new manager Unai Emery.

However, when he was just 16, English-born Iwobi was told he could leave Arsenal in 2012 and he weighed up an offer to head to Glasgow.

“My situation was weird,” he told Arsenal’s matchday programme. “There was three of us at the time and we were basically told 'stay if you want, or if not you are free to go’.

“It was up to me and at that moment I went to the Crystal Palace training ground to see them.

“I had offers from Celtic and Southampton as well. Celtic was the main one but I wasn't ready to go to Scotland. I thought it was best to stay at Arsenal but I have to say it felt weird.

“I was playing for England but I felt maybe I wasn't rated. My England teammates and everyone else was getting in my ear saying that Arsenal don't love me because they weren't offering me a deal.

“It was hard especially because at school as well everyone was talking about it."

Iwobi will hope to feature for Arsenal when they face up to Qarabag in their final UEFA Europa League group stage match tomorrow night.