Alex Iwobi was ‘obliged’ to leave Arsenal in 2019 to sign for Everton, according to his uncle and Super Eagles Legend Jay-Jay Okocha.
Iwobi came through Arsenal’s youth academy and had been an established first-team player before a shock deadline day move to Everton at the start of the 2019-20 season.
Okocha has lifted the lid on his nephew’s transfer from the Emirates Stadium to Goodison Park, suggesting the nature of the transfer had downside effects on his performances.
“I must confess that the move from Arsenal to Everton wasn’t an easy one from him,” Okocha told Goal. “He wasn’t expecting it, it just happened.
“He got a call that there’s a deal for him and that he must oblige that deal, which wasn’t easy for a young player who has played all his life at Arsenal.
“I think that must have taken him 12 months to get over, so he didn’t have the best season last year with Everton.”
Iwobi struggled to make a telling impact during his first season in Merseyside, but things have slightly improved under Carlo Ancelotti this term.
“You can see that now he’s a bit more comfortable,” Okocha continued. “He has finally realized that Liverpool is his home now.
“I think that without any doubt we will see an improved and better Alex Iwobi now,” Okocha added.
