Arsenal legend Nwankwo Kanu has backed Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi to become the next big star for Nigeria under the guidance of Arsene Wenger.
Kanu, who played alongside Iwobi’s cousin Jay-Jay Okocha for Nigeria, was full of praise for the 19-year-old when talking to Arsenal.com.
Iwobi made his ninth appearance of the season on Saturday, with three consecutive starts in the FA Cup. He is capable of playing on the wing but has been deployed in his favoured attacking midfield position for the most part.
“He is a young lad and he has all it takes,” Kanu told the clubs official website.
“He just needs to work hard and keep his head down and keep pushing so he gets his chance.
Kanu spent 10 (mostly) successful years at Arsenal and had some guidance to offer young Iwobi.
“Football is all about chances and when you have the opportunity you have to grab it. I believe he is going to make his mark. He is from Nigeria and we all support him and love him.
“He is the star we are looking for. He is going to learn a lot from Arsène Wenger and the club he is playing for – we need him to bring that back home and make sure he can help the national team.
“[He just needs to] keep his head down and not get carried away with a lot of things. Every day you train, you have to train on your weaknesses. With your strengths, you know them so you have to use them in the game.”
Let’s hope Kanu is right and Iwobi can develop into the player that both Arsenal and Nigeria ‘need’.