How Iwobi's Father Played A Vital Role In His Football Career -

Former Arsenal academy assistant manager Roy Massey has credited Alex Iwobi’s father for his rise in his football career.

Massey made this known in an interview with TribalFootball, where he asserted that the Nigerian international has fought really hard to remain in the limelight of football.

He also described how Iwobi was nearly released by the club at the age of 14 and again at the age of 16.

“When he came to 16, we wanted him to stay on as a scholar but wouldn’t offer him a professional contract at the time and there had been another five boys in his team who had been offered professional contracts.

“When this happens a lot of boys’ parents could take the hump over this and ask ‘why can’t my lad get a professional contract’? You’re only offering a scholarship which means you don’t fancy him as much’.

“But Alex’s Dad very wise, [he] sat him in the car and said, ‘listen Alex you’re going to have a two year scholarship and you’re going to prove that you are good enough to become a professional footballer’.

“And that speaks volumes of the way the lad has developed because he didn’t want everything on a plate like some players do at 15 or 16.”

“He’s had a great career, he’s had a terrific career so far and I’m hoping he does really well when he really gets his feet under the table at Fulham.”