Iwobi: UEFA League launched me

Alex Iwobi has said playing regularly in the UEFA Youth League helped smoothen his transition into the Arsenal first team.
The competition was launched three years ago as an official alternative to the NextGen Series and is open to all 32 senior men’s sides that qualify for the group stages of the Champions League plus 32 domestic youth champions.
Thanks to the consistency of Arsene Wenger’s first team, Arsenal’s under-19s have been ever-presents in the tournament so far giving prime-time opportunities to the likes of Hector Bellerin and Alex Iwobi to make their mark in the spotlight.
“It taught me quite a bit because you’re not only playing against English teams,” Iwobi told UEFA.com.
“You’re playing against foreign teams and you’re learning their tactics and how they play.
“It was such an experience for me because when I stepped into the first team it almost felt the same, even though the level is a bit higher. There’s the same organisation, the preparations are almost the same, so it did prepare me for when I was involved with the first team.”
The Nigeria international, who has since featured in the Champions League seven times, added: “It certainly helps – it helped me and I’m sure it helps other players to feel like they’re in the Champions League, even though it’s just youth level. It’s still a very high competition. And for us at Under-19 level, the games are very hard and you do learn. It’s always a learning experience for the youngsters.”