Chuba Akpom may have left Arsenal for a new adventure in Greece, but the former Academy star has been speaking about his former team mate, Alex Iwobi, in glowing terms.
Arsenal will play Chelsea at the Bird’s Nest on July 22. / AFP PHOTO / GREG BAKER
Alex Iwobi is enjoying something of a renaissance under Unai Emery. While his form is still patchy – a side-effect of youth and building confidence – he has looked like a player reborn since the arrival of the Spaniard.
“Alex is a very good player, Akpom told Goal. “The thing with Alex is that you need to know football to understand how good he is. Technically he’s unbelievable, his understanding of the game is unbelievable – one of the best I’ve seen anyway.
“I feel like you need to understand football to know this. He’s a perfect Arsenal player.
“When we were growing up playing football with each other the coach used to say look at the way Alex does this, look at the way Alex does that because he’s got Arsenal in his DNA. He’s a good guy – we’ve been close friends since nursery, primary school – he’s a humble guy and we still speak about his games and my games.
“It’s good to see him doing so well at Arsenal even though it didn’t work out for me, I’ve taken another path. I’ve always said I hope we can play against each other or play with each other on another occasion.
“Obviously he plays for Nigeria so hopefully I can be called up for Nigeria and play with him. It’s just good to see two people that have grown up together doing their own things with their football careers.”
In all, Akpom spent 16 years at Arsenal before the decision was taken in the summer to sell him to PAOK for £900k.
Akpom signed a three year deal with the Greek side and has so far found the net in two of his 12 games for his new side, including the winning goal against AE Larissa that left him rather emotional.