Arsenal star Mesut Ozil backs fearless team-mate Alex Iwobi to continue on path to the top

Dynamic duo: Ozil and Iwobi were in scintillating form in last month's win over Chelsea
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Benge12 October 2016

Mesut Ozil believes the fearless nature of Alex Iwobi is helping the Nigerian youngster develop into a key player for Arsenal.

Iwobi, 20, has started every Champions League and top flight game for Arsenal since returning from a hip injury in September and appears to have overtaken the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lucas Perez in the battle for a starting spot at the Emirates.

The Nigerian youngster scored his first international goal in the Super Eagles 2-1 win over Zambia on Saturday and is likely to return straight into the Arsenal side for Saturday’s match against Swansea.

It could be the start of yet more dizzying progress for Iwobi, who has the backing of his team-mate Ozil on his route to the top.

“He knows exactly what he can do,” Ozil told Arsenal Player. “He isn’t scared and doesn’t hide on the pitch. He just wants to have fun playing football and that really shows on the pitch, and also in training.

“He’s developing really well and if he continues the way he’s been playing the whole season, he will really enhance his game. The manager knows exactly how good he is and I wish him all the best. He is really young and is on a really good path.”

Arsene Wenger's young guns

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Iwobi had long been heralded as one of the brightest prospects in Arsenal’s youth set-up before his breakthrough in the second half of last season, not least because of his famous relatives.

Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha is Iwobi’s uncle and Ozil sees plenty of familial similarities between the pair.

It is the other player that Iwobi reminds Ozil of that may be surprising to Arsenal followers: “Alex reminds me of a mixture of [Okocha] and Edgar Davids.

“He’s really strong on the ball, also defensively, but he’s good in front of goal too.”

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