Arsenal teen forward Chuba Akpom who played in the Gunners 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup says he hopes to follow in the footstep of his child hood friend Alex Iwobi by becoming a regular at Arsenal.
Iwobi had his breakthrough last season making over 21 appearances in all competitions. This season he has moved a notch higher as he is now a starter week in, week out, injuries permitting.
Such feat is what Akpom hopes to emulate but the 20 year old is a Nigeria international who switched to the West Africa nation after playing for England at youth level. Akpom who has played at different youth grades for England is hot on the priority list of Nigeria regarding a switch of allegiance to the Super Eagles.
He told the London Evening Standard: “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.”
