Nigeria and Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has opened up on a past encounter with current Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery that has left him with a great deal of respect for the former Arsenal boss.
What happened?
Iwobi, a former Arsenal academy and senior team player, was one of Unai Emery’s trusted soldiers when the Spaniard arrived as the legendary Arsene Wenger’s replacement in the Gunners’ dugout during the 2018/2019 season.
Throughout the course of that season, Iwobi made 51 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals and registering eight assists including one in a disappointing 4-1 UEFA Europa League final defeat to London rivals Chelsea.
Despite Iwobi’s apparent importance in Unai Emery’s team, the club opted to facilitate a 2019 summer sale to Everton. This move, Iwobi was forced to accept given the club’s desire to offload him after splashing a lump sum to acquire the services of Nicolas Pepe.
However, in a recent interview with Insider Scoop, the Nigeria international revealed how after a chance meeting in a hotel following his move to Merseyside, the then Arsenal boss took time to explain the circumstances surrounding his forced exit.
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What did Alex Iwobi say?
“I was staying in a hotel at the time (after joining Everton). Arsenal must have played Liverpool and were staying in my hotel. I come back from training and I see the whole team having lunch. I’ve gone to say hello and I spoke to Unai Emery,” the Fulham star said.
“He said: ‘Listen, Alex, this is football. I didn’t want you to go. The last game was the Europa League final, I had you in my plans. You have always been someone who was willing to work for the team. I didn’t want you to go, but at the end of the day, this is business.’
“I said: ‘Yeah, there’s no hard feelings, it’s fine.’ He spoke to me on a level, that’s why I respect him. I’ll always have respect for Unai Emery.”
Iwobi has gone on to enjoy an admirable Premier League career since leaving Arsenal. He now plays for Fulham where he has established himself as a key player under Marco Silva. This season, he has featured in all 37 PL matches, starting 35 of them, while contributing nine goals and six assists.
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
