Sunday 27 November 2016 07:35, UK
Soccer Saturday's Dickie Davis sits down with Alex Iwobi to discuss Arsenal's title chances and the young forward's career so far...
When Alex Iwobi was just 17, I did his media training at Arsenal.
The idea was to get those coming through the youth system at the Emirates used to dealing with journalists - and what to do when we ask a pesky question.
We always stress that whatever they say, they should be honest.
So what did Iwobi say three years ago when I asked him if he thought he could make it at Arsenal? "I think it's half and half. I feel I have a chance," he said.
"There's loads of really good players in my position but I think if I show a lot of determination and desire, there might be a chance."
Well what do you know. Here we are three years later, and I'm interviewing him again - this time as a player fast establishing himself in the first team. Eight starts last season have been followed by eight starts already this season.
It is safe to say he got his chance and has grabbed it with both hands and - being two-footed - both feet.
As we showed him his media training interview, and he smiles at his hairstyle back then (we've all been there), he realises how far he has come.
Three years ago he was clearly nervous, looking like a rabbit caught in our lights. Now he sits relaxed, pleased with how it's going at Arsenal, but still with that boyish attitude.
"I can't believe I'm up against Premier League players," Iwobi says. "But the more I play, the more I feel comfortable."
As if it wasn't enough to be starting for the first team at the club he had been at since he was seven, he scored in his first two games - and was brought on at the Nou Camp.
"It's crazy," he adds. "It's every boy's dream to play against the best in the world. This is absolutely made for such a young boy like me."
His manager tells him to play his natural game and enjoy himself every time - even when he makes mistakes - and his boyhood hero also had a huge influence on him.
"Thierry Henry was here and he was guiding me when I was trying to establish myself in the first team," Iwobi says. "He was telling me what I needed to work on and where I needed to improve.
"He probably helped me more mentally to cope with everything. Just to be chatting to my hero was incredible."
Another footballing legend he has strong links to is Jay-Jay Okocha, who is his uncle (his mother's brother). Okocha helped him decide who to play for on the international stage.
He had the choice between Nigeria and England as he was born in Lagos, but moved to England with his family at the age of two.
"It was my decision, but Jay-Jay and my family did have a big influence on me," he adds. "In my head it felt like the right decision to play for Nigeria - and I felt very at home when I went to play for them."
In football there's always highs and lows - and he certainly suffered a low this week, scoring an own goal which helped Paris Saint-Germain grab a Champions League point at the Emirates.
"I heard a shout from David Ospina, but I reacted a bit late," Iwobi says of the goal. "I wanted to clear it but was in two minds and ended up doing the worst thing possible.
"It's my mistake and I apologise. I hold my hands up. But I have to move on and be better next game.
"I always say I give 100 per cent - and what happens, happens. If you play well you play well, if you play badly you play badly. But I can always say I gave my all. Fortunately I've had a lot of luck and most of it's gone well."
He feels Arsenal played well against Spurs and PSG but believes the point in their other recent game - at Manchester United - shows what they are all about.
"We struggled to get chances," Iwobi adds. "But it's the type of side we are. We are resilient, and it was an awesome cross by Ox [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain] for Olivier Giroud to head home.
"When I look at the points it's so tight. It's anyone's this season. Every team has got that same goal. I can't call it, but I'd love to see it be Arsenal."
Iwobi is clearly impressing his manager. So what are his chances of being involved this weekend? Slightly better than half and half, I'd say.
Watch the full interview with Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi on Soccer Saturday from 12pm on Sky Sports News HQ
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