Chuba Akpom motivated to succeed at Arsenal by Alex Iwobi’s rise after making first start in win over Nottingham Forest

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James Olley21 September 2016

Chuba Akpom today revealed he is using Alex Iwobi’s dramatic rise to prominence at Arsenal as inspiration for his own battle to become a first-team regular.

It is a sign of Iwobi’s progress that he was one of 11 players rested for last night’s 4-0 EFL Cup third round win at Nottingham Forest with manager Arsene Wenger rotating his squad ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Chelsea.

The 20-year-old made 21 appearances in all competitions last season and his career trajectory is one Akpom is hoping to emulate. Akpom had spells on loan at Brentford, Coventry, Forest and Hull but made his first ever start for the visitors here at the City Ground and earned the penalty which afforded Lucas Perez the chance to score his maiden goal for Arsenal.

He is 15 months older than Iwobi but the pair went to primary school together and joined Arsenal’s academy at Under-9 level, forging a friendship that has lasted ever since.

And Akpom told Standard Sport: “What he has done is motivating. He is playing week in, week out for Arsenal so when I am watching him, I’m just thinking I am so proud of him and I just want to get the same chance as he got. As a friend, personally it is good to see him getting games.

“I think playing at Forest for Arsenal shows progression. Whereas a few seasons ago I was on loan and now I am coming back playing for Arsenal – it shows that’s the main thing, going out on loan and trying to come back to Arsenal a better player and more experienced. It is a really good feeling.

“I loved it – it was my first start for Arsenal and just to get an assist and to be involved in the team, that what I want to do – to play and get minutes.”

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Granit Xhaka opened the scoring before Perez added to his spot-kick with a fine solo effort prior to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s late fourth.

And Akpom believes Arsenal’s comprehensive victory despite wholesale changes is further evidence Wenger is right to assert this is one of the strongest squads the club has had in recent years.

“The boss wants to rest a lot of players who play week in, week out in the Champions League so it is just a chance for the young players like me to go out and show people what we can do,” he said.

“We have got a lot of depth in the squad – there are good senior players and young players as well. There is a good mix and as you saw, we came out with a whole different eleven and got the result. It shows we have got a lot of quality.”

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