Arsene Wenger confirms: Alex Iwobi in contract talks with Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the club are in talks with Alex Iwobi over a contract extension. The 19-year-old academy graduate has made a seamless transition into the Gunners first team, scoring two goals in two Premier League starts for the north Londoners.

He has managed to keep Theo Walcott out of the first team and made back to back starts in his last two outings, against Everton and Watford. The 66-year-old manager has admitted that talks about extending the winger’s contract are already under way.

“We are discussing extending his contract at the moment”, he said in a press conference, according to Arsenal’s official website.

“He’s a real Arsenal person because he’s been here since the age of eight. He has three years left at the end of the season anyway but we want to keep him here for longer.

“If there have been some positives in the last few months, it’s how well and how quickly he’s emerged as a player with a good impact”, the French manager further added.

The 19-year-old made his competitive debut for Nigeria last month and now wants to play for the Under-23 side in Rio. The men’s Olympic football schedule runs from August 4 to August 20, meaning not only would Iwobi be likely to miss Arsenal’s pre-season but also the first month of Premier League action.

But Wenger has maintained that they respect his decision and will allow his play during the Olympics. He said: “We have to respect his choice to play for Nigeria, with the possibility he will go to the Africa Cup of Nations and the Olympics.”