Arsenal states condition for Alex Iwobi’s release

ARSENAL have stated they will release their Under 21 skipper Alex Iwobi for international duty with Nigeria’s Olympic National Team as long as the invitation comes through the right channel, reports SL10.ng.

    The All African Games qualifier against Gabon scheduled to take place on February 20 is outside Fifa’s international match calendar. But coach Samson Siasia has named the England youth international on his roster, and that means the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) must demonstrate their persuasion skills, especially as the Arsenal Under 21s have a league game two days before the contest with Gabon.

  ‘’We are expecting correspondence from the Nigerian FA, and it’s also down to Alex Iwobi if he wants to play in that fixture,’’ an Arsenal spokesman, Andrew Mancha, told SL10.ng.

 ‘’He would be released for the game if it goes through the proper channels. ‘’

 Emma Okocha, a representative of Alex Iwobi, is on the same wavelength as Arsenal, saying the NFF need to have a tête-à-tête with the Gunners higher – ups.

  The retired Nigeria international has stressed that the ball is not in Alex Iwobi’s court, and has highlighted that his nephew’s commitment to the Under 23 national team cannot be doubted.

  ‘’That depends on Arsenal if they are going to release him. He came around sometime ago to train with the team.

  ‘’It shows he wants to play for the country. It now depends on the agreement between Arsenal and NFF.

 ‘’He needs Arsenal’s permission to come since it’s not a Fifa free window,’’ Emma Okocha said to SL10.ng.

   The versatile Alex Iwobi has been on the books of Arsenal for the past ten years, and has represented England at Under 16 and Under 17 level.