Arsenal starlet Alex Iwobi targets first-team breakthrough after signing long-term deal

  • Arsenal prospect Alex Iwobi has signed a new long-term contract
  • The 19-year-old is highly regarded and has committed his future to the club
  • Iwobi played for England at youth level but is now in the Nigeria squad
  • The teenage forward has his sights set on breaking into the first team
  • But could go out on loan as early this month to gain experience 

By Nicholas Godden for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

Arsenal prospect Alex Iwobi has signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates and has his sights set on breaking into Arsene Wenger's first team squad.

The 19-year-old forward, who is currently on international duty after being called up to the Nigeria squad, is the nephew of former Premier League star Jay-Jay Okocha.

Iwobi, who had previously represented England at youth level, has been at Arsenal since he was a primary school pupil and has committed his future to the north London club.

Arsenal have announced that teenage forward Alex Iwobi has singed a new long-term deal with the club

Arsenal have announced that teenage forward Alex Iwobi has singed a new long-term deal with the club

Iwobi pictured in action for Arsenal Under 19s during the UEFA Youth League against Olympiacos last week

Iwobi pictured in action for Arsenal Under 19s during the UEFA Youth League against Olympiacos last week

A statement on Arsenal's official website read: 'Alex Iwobi has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal.


'Everyone at Arsenal would like to congratulate Alex on his new contract and we look forward to his continued progression in the season ahead.'

Iwobi is highly regarded at Arsenal and was part of Wenger's travelling squad on the pre-season tour of Singapore in July and later scored his first goal for the senior side against Lyon in the Emirates Cup.

The talent youngster is yet to feature in a competitive game for the Gunners but was named on the bench for the Capital One Cup victory over local rivals Tottenham last month.

Iwobi was named among the substitutes for Arsenal's 2-1 win against Tottenham in the Capital One Cup

Iwobi was named among the substitutes for Arsenal's 2-1 win against Tottenham in the Capital One Cup

Iwobi could be sent out on loan this season to gain first team experience ahead of the next campaign

Iwobi could be sent out on loan this season to gain first team experience ahead of the next campaign

'I'm delighted to have signed a new contract, especially with a club like Arsenal who are so big,' he told Arsenal.com. 'I'm happy to sign for them.

'I like to think I have earned it. I have gone through a lot with Arsenal so to have a new and improved contract is very good and I'm happy to have earned it.

'I have had ups and downs. As I was growing up I had a lot of downs but as I get older things just keep getting better and better.

'The ultimate goal is to break into the first team and play as many games as I can.'

Plans for a first team breakthrough this season may have to be shelved, though, because, as Sportsmail revealed last month, Iwobi could be sent out on loan to gain experience ahead of a more involved role next term. 

SPORTSMAIL’S ADAM SHERGOLD SAW IWOBI SCORE HIS FIRST SENIOR GOAL DURING A FRIENDLY AGAINST LYON IN JULY

Iwobi was the most impressive of the young starlets from that win and he scored Arsenal's third goal and had another disallowed a couple of minutes later.

Linking up impressively with Olivier Giroud and the other members of the forward line, Iwobi's goal on 36 minutes drew one of the loudest cheers of the afternoon at the Emirates Stadium.

The teenager had drifted instinctively into space inside the penalty area and, when found by Aaron Ramsey, lifted the ball into the net with his weaker left foot.

He was flagged offside a few moments later when meeting Mesut Ozil's free-kick, denying him a second goal.

Iwobi, who was born in Lagos and is the nephew of the Bolton Wanderers and Nigeria icon Jay-Jay Okocha, was a surprise inclusion in Arsenal's squad for the Barclays Asia Trophy in Singapore earlier this month.

He started the semi-final against a Singapore XI but it was his friend Chuba Akpom who stole the headlines with a hat-trick in a 4-0 win.

But his dynamic all-round performance there and on Saturday led Arsene Wenger to confirm he wouldn't be going out on loan this season and would be a member of the first-team squad.

Iwobi tweeted after the 6-0 win: 'Happy to get my 1st goal for Arsenal and also help the team to win 6-0 against Lyon, confidence is sky high.'

He has worked his way through the youth ranks at Hale End, proving his worth in every position from full-back to centre forward.

Iwobi's first exposure to first team action came in September 2013, when he was named on the bench with a whole cache of youth team talent as the Gunners beat West Bromwich Albion in the Capital One Cup. 

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