Alex Iwobi 'rejected West Ham United for Arsenal'

Big old Alex Iwobi and Jonny Howson in action during the Premier League game between Arsenal and Norwich City on April 30, 2016
© Getty Images
Arsenal attacker Alex Iwobi reveals that he turned down the chance to join West Ham United before signing for the Gunners in 2004.

Arsenal attacker Alex Iwobi has revealed that he turned down the chance to join West Ham United before signing for the Gunners in 2004.

The 20-year-old made 21 appearances for Arsene Wenger's side last season and has also been a regular for the London club in the early stages of the 2016-17 campaign.

However, the Nigerian has claimed that West Ham could have been enjoying the rewards of his progression after training with the Hammers during his youth career.

"Arsenal and West Ham were interested in me and Chuba [Akpom], so we were training with both clubs for three years, because we were scouted at six and you can't sign until you're nine," he told reporters.

"I decided to sign for Arsenal because I supported them back then and I always saw them as the bigger club – no disrespect to West Ham."

Iwobi is yet to score for Arsenal in 11 appearances this season.

Alex Iwobi of Arsenal looks on during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais at the Emirates Stadium on July 25, 2015 in London, England.
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City107212491523
2Arsenal1072123101323
3Liverpool1072124131123
4Chelsea107122191222
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs10550145920
6Everton10532158718
7Watford104331413115
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd104331312115
9Southampton103431110113
10Bournemouth103341214-212
11Leicester CityLeicester103341216-412
12Stoke CityStoke103341217-512
13Crystal Palace103251416-211
14Burnley10325813-511
15Middlesbrough10244911-210
16West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom102441014-410
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham103161019-910
18Hull City10217823-157
19Swansea CitySwansea10127918-95
20Sunderland10028720-132