What Mesut tells me —Iwobi

Nigerian interntional, Alex Iwobi has revealed that his Arsenal team-mate, Mesut Ozil has given him more confidence with his words of encouragement.

Speaking ahead of today’s English Premier League home clash with Swansea, Iwobi, who scored for Nigeria last weekend in the 2-1 win over Zambia in Ndola in a 2018 World Cup qualifier, said the Germany star told him to always play with a smile on his face.

“Mesut just tells me that I’m young and need to express myself on the pitch,” Iwobi told the Gunners official website, www.arsenal.com. “Obviously I need to listen to other people’s advice as well, but he tells me to always play with a smile on my face and enjoy the game.

“When I saw [his comments comparing me to Okocha and Edgar Davids] I was like, ‘Wow is he serious?’ because he never really says that much to me. He just gives me advice and help, but it’s such a confidence boost for such a great player to say that about me.

Iwobi further acknowledged that his career has been boosted also by element of luck.

“I’m the same kid I used to be, the same kid who used to work hard. There’s a bit of luck as well. For me to get that chance and take it like I did, I’m just fortunate and happy to have taken them. I guess it’s luck at the end of the day.

“I’m never really happy or satisfied with my performances. I always want to improve and I think that’s probably got me to where I am. I’m still learning the game and want to be doing than what I am at the moment, so I’ll keep putting 100 per cent into whatever I do,” the youngster stated.