Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi has revealed that he will try to convince Arsenal to sign his national teammates Kelechi Iheanacho although he doesn’t think that will happen.
Since meeting in the national team, Iwobi and Iheanahco have become close friends often seen on social media dancing and joking together.
“I tell you, you should see us on Snapchat! Always bantering. We’re roommates right now and he’s just the funniest guy I know,” Iwobi told Daily Mail in an interview about Iheanacho.
“We do get on well off the pitch as well as on the pitch. Maybe I can try to convince Arsenal to sign him – but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Iwobi got his first Super Eagles call-up in September 2015 after representing England in the U 15s and 19s.
Before his Super Eagles call-up, Iwobi had only visited Nigeria a few times since he left to London as an 18-month –old.
”From Under 15s to Under 19s, I was concentrating playing for England, it was close to me, I could just go to St George’s Park, it was nice,” the 20-year-old said.
“Going back to school when you’ve just played for England, it was amazing, you’re one of the best players in the country, that’s why you’re getting picked.
“But I’ve always felt like Nigeria was home for me. When Nigeria actually gave me the call-up I thought ‘oh, it’s going to be a challenge, I don’t go back there a lot, I don’t really speak the language.’
“I wasn’t speaking the language as fluently as I am now, so it was always going to be a challenge, but it was a challenge I decided to take and change nationalities.”
Iwobi also described Nigerian fans as special who almost treat him like a king.
“They love football! You can walk around here (London), and you probably get recognised a bit,” the 20-year-old said.
“But there, one step, ‘Iwobi, Iwobi!’ The way they support football there, it’s just different to England.
“It’s something I’m not used to, but when you go there, it’s special. When you see all these guys and just respecting you, they almost treat you as if you’re a king! They’re crazy about it!”
Since joining the national team, Iwobi has also been forced by his teammate to learn some local languages.
“When I first went I felt like I’m an alien! I know they used to take the mick out of me, and I didn’t know what they were saying. But know I can understand!”
