Alex Iwobi, the Nigerian star with the most minutes in Premier League history, has revealed that he once considered leaving Arsenal for Celtic or Crystal Palace during his final season as a schoolboy.
The Hale End Academy graduate faced a tough reality when Arsenal informed him that he wouldn’t be offered a professional contract alongside his scholarship. Watching his England youth teammates secure both scholarship and professional deals left him disheartened, making him question his future at the club.
At that crossroads, it was Iwobi’s father, Chuka Iwobi, who convinced him to accept the scholarship offer from Arsenal instead of seeking opportunities elsewhere. That decision paved the way for a successful Premier League career. To date, Iwobi has played the most minutes of any Nigerian in the league’s history—19,002 minutes across 279 appearances, including 100 games for his boyhood club, Arsenal.
Speaking on Fulham Fix Podcast Episode 32, Iwobi recalled how close he came to leaving:
“When I was younger, there were so many times I was told I was not good enough, and that was just another moment. I was the only one playing for England at the time who didn’t get offered a professional contract. I only had a scholar, and they said if you want to go, you can go.
“I was meant to go to Celtic, I went to see Crystal Palace, and there was one more team. I remember going to Crystal Palace’s training ground at 16, and my dad told me, ‘I have been in this position before where they said you’re not good enough—go and prove them wrong again.’ So I decided to sign my scholarship with Arsenal.”
Iwobi first joined Arsenal at just eight years old, choosing the Gunners over London rivals West Ham United. Despite the early doubts, he has built a strong Premier League career and is currently enjoying one of his most productive seasons, with 10 goal involvements in 26 matches.
Looking back, it’s clear that his decision to stay at Arsenal was the turning point in a career that has seen him become a key figure in English football.
