Arsene Wenger reluctant to let Alex Iwobi leave Arsenal on loan, claims father

Starlet: Iwobi impressed during pre-season for the Gunners
Sam Long5 October 2015

Arsene Wenger is reluctant to let Alex Iwobi leave Arsenal on loan this season, according to the youngster's father.

The 19-year-old impressed during pre-season with the Gunners and scored during the north London club's emphatic 6-0 victory against Lyon in the Emirates Cup in late July.

Although the emergence of Iwobi, who is the nephew of former Nigeria international Jay-Jay Okocha, suggested he would force his way into Wenger's first team fold the teenager is yet to make an impact this term.

Iwobi's father Chuka has revealed that his son is keen to leave Arsenal on a temporary basis in order to play regularly, but Wenger is yet to sanction the move.

Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

"A few clubs in the United Kingdom and abroad have approached Arsenal to take Alex on loan but Arsene Wenger wants him to be with the first team because he did very well in pre-season.

"Alex's preferred option at this stage is to go on loan to gain first team experience and come back to Arsenal later on to fight for a place," Chuka Iwobi told Goal.

Iwobi is currently on international duty with Nigeria and is in line to feature in his nation's upcoming games against Congo DR and Cameroon on October 8 and 11 respectively, but hopes that his future is resolved once he returns.

"Hopefully a loan move will be sorted out by the time Alex comes back from international duties. As regards the likely club Alex will play for on loan, at the moment discussions are ongoing."

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