Alex Iwobi has revealed that he and Arsenal team-mate Chuba Akpom could have signed for West Ham over a decade ago.
Since his debut less than a year ago in a League Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday Iwobi has enjoyed a remarkable rise to prominence and is now a regular starter in Arsene Wenger’s side.
Though it has not been the same case for Akpom, who has seen his progress stall amid a spate of injuries in recent years, both youngsters are highly thought of by Wenger and would certainly be considered an asset to any Premier League side.
But it could have been so different for the pair, both of attended the same primary school, had they accepted an offer to play for West Ham rather than Arsenal.
“Arsenal and West Ham were interested in me and Chuba, so we were training with both clubs for three years, because we were scouted at six and you can’t sign until you’re nine,” Iwobi told Match of the Day magazine.
“I decided to sign for Arsenal because I supported them back then and I always saw them as the bigger club – no disrespect to West Ham!”
Match of the Day MagazineIwobi is in line to feature in tonight’s EFL Cup tie with Reading, where Olivier Giroud looks set to make his return from an injury to his big toe.
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To read the full interview, pick up a copy of Match of the Day Magazine this Tuesday.