Alex Iwobi has impressed in recent weeks and looks set to be rewarded with a big new contract.
The Nigerian has come into the Arsenal first team and shown everyone exactly what he’s capable of, scoring twice in as many Premier League starts as Joel Campbell and Theo Walcott look on from the bench.
Iwobi signed a new contract under a year ago but his first team endeavours have seen him earn attention and a reward.
“We are discussing it at the moment, yes, to extend because he’s been here since the age of eight,” Arsène Wenger confirmed on Thursday. “I think he’s a real Arsenal person.
“He has three years left at the end of the season anyway but we want to keep him here for longer and overall there are lots of positives in the last two months how well and how quickly he emerged as being a player who has a good impact.”
Iwobi made his full Champions League debut away against Barcelona and impressed before being given the chance to start in the Premier League. Two goals and an assist have followed in the comfortable wins against Everton and Watford, earning a lot of praise.
Unfortunately for England, Iwobi has already opted to play for Nigeria and featured in a competitive fixture for the Super Eagles. That means Arsenal may miss him at the beginning of next season as Nigeria compete at the Olympics in Rio, but it’s something Wenger has come to terms with.
“You’re right but we have to respect his choice, he had the choice between England and Nigeria and we respect that with the possibility he’ll go to the Olympic Games and the African Nations Cup.”
Arsenal could block Nigeria’s request to take Iwobi to Brazil, if they were to call him up, but that seems incredibly unlikely.
For the time being, Wenger looks certain to keep using the teenage midfielder, starting with Saturday’s short trip to face West Ham.