One of the Gunners rising stars in Alex Iwobi has recently revealed that he nearly signed for their London rivals West Ham United
The 20-year-old attacker has been immensely impressive since making his professional debut for the Arsenal first team last season. Iwobi has been hailed as a huge talent by pundits and fans alike, with manager Arsene Wenger recently stating that he could be the club’s future number 10.
The Nigerian youngster has now revealed that he also came close to signing for another London club in West Ham United. Iwobi has revealed that he trained with both clubs for three years before making the decision to join the Gunners.
“Arsenal and West Ham were interested in me and Chuba [Akpom], 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,” he said, according to the Daily Express.
“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.”
West Ham United aren’t doing much to suggest that Iwobi made the wrong decision. After soaring to great heights last season, the Hammers have fallen far behind the pace this time around. Five losses in nine games sees them in the bottom five of the league table, just three points above the relegation zone.
Arsenal on the other hand are on top of the Premier League table, separated from leaders Man City only by goal difference. Iwobi has had an important part to play in this success. The 20-year-old has started six games for the Gunners and notched up three assists.
The 20-year-old is one of the best young prospects at the club right now. The Hammers will surely be ruing the fact that they let such a top talent slip out of their fingers more than a decade ago.
