What Alex Iwobi told one Arsenal star’s mum in private conversation about transfer exit

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Mikel Arteta is pushing hard to bring the next generation of talent from Arsenal’s academy through.

Already this season, Arsenal fans have seen what some of the next generation has to offer, with minutes handed to several academy stars.

Arsenal’s academy has produced some searing talent over the years, with Bukayo Saka now leading the way in the first team.

Saka has shown support for Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arteta’s 18-year-old midfielder who is on the rise at the Emirates.

• READ MORE: Per Mertesacker’s ten-word Arsenal ethos shows secret to Hale End academy success

Alex Iwobi’s advice for Myles Lewis-Skelly

Lewis-Skelly has been the talk of the town in recent weeks, thriving on both his full Champions League and Premier League debut.

Arsenal fans applauded Lewis-Skelly for his performance against Monaco, where the teenager dominated at left-back against the Ligue 1 giants.

Coming through a Premier League academy is a rare opportunity for many in the game, with Arteta insistent that he will be patient with the younger players in his squad.

While everything is rosy for Lewis-Skelly right now, a surprise encounter was reported by The Standard, who noted a meeting between former Gunner Alex Iwobi, and the teenager’s mum. 

“I met his mum three months ago in Dagenham and she was like: ‘I want my son to do well’ and I just gave some advice,” Iwobi recalled. 

“I just said to his mum, ‘Be patient because his time will come’. Make sure he’s ready because if he’s constantly training with the first team like how I was, that will make him a better player.”

Iwobi then went on to explain the importance of steering away from a possible loan transfer, expressing the value of training with the first team.

“A lot of players like to go on loan and play men’s football early which I understand. But when you’re training with some of the best players in the world at Arsenal, you naturally get ready by seeing how they work every day.

“For the youngsters there, that’s the best education to grow as a player.”

Mikel Arteta is an admirer of Iwobi

Iwobi left Arsenal in 2019 having risen through the ranks at Colney to become an established Premier League player.

Arteta shared his admiration for Iwobi, having not had the chance to work with him as a manager before the Nigerian was sold by Unai Emery.

Being one of several Hale Enders thriving at senior level, the 28-year-old is relishing life at Fulham, playing alongside Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson.

Iwobi is playing at a level that sees him regarded as one of Europe’s best this season, showing those at Hale End what the outcome of consistent hard work and patience can be.