Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists the club will respect Alex Iwobi’s decision to represent Nigeria over England.
The 19-year-old was born in Lagos, but was brought up in London and joined the Gunners’ youth set-up at a tender age of eight.
He took to the field for the Three Lions up to Under-18 level, but was called up to be part of the Nigerian team’s senior side last year, an offer that the player accepted.
He has made four appearances for the Super Eagles since then, making his competitive debut against Egypt during the African Cup of Nations qualifiers last month.
The young forward, who made his first team debut this season in a League Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, will also be hoping to represent his birth country at the Olympics in Rio in August this year.
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And Wenger said that the club accept and respect the young player’s decision.
“We have respect his choice.
"He had the choice between England and Nigeria and in the end he chose Nigeria”, the French manager was quoted as saying by Arsenal’s official website.
“We respect that, and also the possibility that he will go to the Olympic Games, that he will also go to the Africa Cup of Nations and travel a bit more than he would have done here.
"We have to respect that”, the 66-year-old added.
