Alex Iwobi says he’s twice come close to leaving Arsenal.
The winger told Soccer AM how he almost left Arsenal’s academy at age 14 and 16 after concerns about his physical development and not receiving a first-team contract.
Iwobi said: “At the age of 14 I was almost let go because I wasn’t physically developed, I was kind of small, I was slow, and they always used to say I need to work on my physicality.
“At the age of 16, a lot of people were given pro deals but I was only offered a scholar and they gave me the option to leave as well.
“I was the only one that played for England at the time and didn’t get offered a pro deal, everyone thought I was too good and I should leave, but I thought maybe there was a reason why they’re saying that, so I thought I’d stay and it was a good decision.”