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Nigerian football star Alex Iwobi has opened up about the circumstances surrounding his exit from Arsenal F.C., revealing that the decision was made while he was still on holiday after the Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking during a podcast interview titled High Performance, Iwobi said he had just finished a strong AFCON campaign when then Arsenal manager Unai Emery advised him to take an extra two weeks off to enjoy his break.
While on holiday in Dubai with his family, the club completed the signing of winger Nicolas Pépé, a move that made Iwobi begin to question his future at the club.
“I was away at AFCON. I had a good AFCON. I came back and Unai Emery told me to take two weeks extra and enjoy my holiday. I was in Dubai with my family and then they signed Nicolas Pépé. I thought, if you really want me, why are you signing another winger?” he said.
The situation intensified when his agent informed him that Everton F.C. were interested in signing him.
Iwobi explained that he was in the ocean in Dubai with limited phone signal when his agent called to say Everton manager Marco Silva wanted to speak with him. According to him, before he even had time to properly consider the move, Arsenal had already sent his medical documents to Everton.
“Before I even had a chance to say yes or no, Arsenal basically said they don’t mind me going,” he said.
After speaking with his parents and sister, Iwobi eventually agreed to the move, saying he felt it was time to step out of his comfort zone. However, he admitted the transition was difficult at first.
Iwobi revealed that he initially stayed alone in a hotel in Liverpool for months and struggled with loneliness while adjusting to a new city and being away from family and friends.
“I’ve always been an Arsenal kid. Arsenal was all I knew. So going somewhere else and staying in a dark hotel room by myself… it was tough,” he said.
The Nigerian international later settled in and continued his career in the Premier League.
