Alex Iwobi reveals how Arsenal ‘nudged’ him towards signing for Everton after purchasing £72m flop Nicolas Pepe… despite former coach Unai Emery telling the Nigerian he wanted him to STAY after the 2019 Europa League final
Iwobi joined the club in 2004 before breaking into the first team nine years laterHis summer 2019 move coincided with the arrival of club record signing PepePepe was unable to live up to his billing and is playing this season on loan in Nice
Former Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi has revealed that he believes his formed club ‘nudged’ him towards the exit at the Emirates ahead of his move to Everton in 2019.
The Nigerian international joined the Arsenal youth academy in 2004, breaking into the first team in 2015.
But his career in north London was cut short when he decided to seek a new challenge at Everton, after signing a deal reportedly worth up to £34million with potential add-ons.
Speaking to The Beautiful Game podcast, the 26-year-old shared that he may not have made the decision to move to Liverpool entirely on his own, but instead been swayed by changes at the club.
‘My last game was the Europa League final and he [Unai Emery] said to me, “It’s a shame I didn’t start you, I want you here next season”https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11911815/,” the midfielder began.
Moving to Everton in 2019, Alex Iwobi believes the transfer was ‘nudged’ by then-club Arsenal
Iwobi joined Arsenal in 2004 as a youth academy player and broke into the first team in 2015
The Nigerian international scored during his last appearance for the Gunners at the Europa League final against Chelsea
‘So then, from the first day to the last day, Everton pushed and pushed and pushed.
‘And Arsenal just signed a new winger [Nicolas Pepe]… and there were a few players that were still there, they weren’t ready to [leave].
‘[Arsenal] said, “We’ve received a bid for you, it’s a high bid, we’re not going to get this money from anywhere else”.
‘It was a nudge, “it’s a winger as well, that’s probably going to play in your position. It’s up to you”.’
Iwobi scored the only goal in Arsenal’s 4-1 Europa League final thrashing by Chelsea, in what turned out to be his final performance for Emery’s side.
Pepe’s move to north London was announced on August 1, with the French international becoming the club’s record signing with his £72million price tag.
But despite early promise, Pepe failed to live up to his billing and was sent out on loan to Nice at the start of the 2022/23 season.
Upon hearing about Arsenal’s signing of Pepe and amidst Everton’s persistent interest, Iwobi spent time considering his next move.
‘They’ve given me that, and Everton’s a club that’s also a very big club that wants me. I want a new challenge, so why not pursue it?’
Gradually, the player has found his footing at Everton, and this season has proven a pivotal player in the team’s fightback as they look to avoid relegation.
Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery was not convinced that the player should make the move
Nicolas Pepe failed to live up to his billing at Arsenal before being sent on loan to Nice in 2022
The 26-year-old recently impressed on the road against Graham Potter’s Chelsea
Iwobi’s form improved under Frank Lampard, after a slight dip, he is growing in confidence under Sean Dyche.
His most recent show of strength came during Everton’s vital draw on the road against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Every point Everton can claw back will be necessary for Dyche’s side, who are looking to avoid the first relegation in the club’s history.
Everton currently sit 15th in the tightly-packed bottom-half of the table, hovering above the relegation zone by only two points.
