The Arsenal youngster explains to goal.com how Super Eagles fans are much louder than Premier League supporters and describes the crazy scenes on his debut

Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi says he's treated "like a king" in Nigeria having pledged his international future to the country.

Iwobi, 20, grew up in England after moving to the country from Lagos, Nigeria, when he was four years old.

Even though he played for England's Under-16s, Under-17s and Under-18s, Iwobi swapped his allegiance to the Super Eagles in 2015 and has gone on to make seven appearances so far.

'I'm treated like a king!' - Iwobi loving Nigeria fan adoration

Iwobi was shocked by his reception when he arrived to play for Nigeria and says supporters in the African country are more likely to ask for football boots and money, rather than autographs.

"Everyone appreciates you [in Nigeria], you’re almost like a king!" he told the Guardian . "When I arrived at the airport I thought, I’ll just have my earphones in, but everyone was like ‘Iwobi! Iwobi!’ Oh gosh. Hi guys!

"I didn’t know what to expect. It was just mad. I always go with Kelechi Iheanacho. When we go we get escorted. Because I’m not used to the Nigerian culture as much as they are, they do help me with it.

"I can’t really speak the language that well. They help me with the fans. The fans are very different there. They don’t ask me for autographs, they ask for boots, money."


Iwobi described the crazy scenes on his Nigeria debut and suggested fans in the country of his birth are much noisier within grounds than their Premier League counterparts.

“At my debut we played in a stadium that holds 30,000 and there was 60,000 – I don’t understand how. People were standing on the floodlights, on the scoreboard," he added. "I was thinking, ‘What? This isn’t even safe!’

"But people there will do anything to watch the match. Sometimes in a Premier League game the fans are a bit quiet but in Nigeria you just hear trumpets, everything. The atmosphere is so different compared to England.”

Iwobi, who's scored one goal and assisted three in 2016-17, is competing for a place in Arsene Wenger's starting XI to face Stoke City on Saturday.

He won't take part in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations as Nigeria failed to qualify for the tournament.

Source: http://newsnews.com.ng/nigerian-fans-dont-ask-me-for-autographs-they-ask-for-boots-money-alex-iwobi/

Who autographs epp?

what is the benefit of an autograph to an african man?I learnt in europe,one can use it to get favour.It is not the same in africa.

Na who autograph epp?abeg we need something reasonable jorri

for this recession, even if he give me the boot sef, na to sell am

#SharpGuys

Abeg na who autograph epp?

Autograph kor, autograph nii. Na money sure pass

Auto wati our culture is money

30,000 capacity stadium having 60,000...lols

Make him no warrior. Very soon him go see us run enter field when Nigeria score.....

autograph ko autospy ni very soon i mean very soon they will start asking him to pay their rent

who is iwobi pls?

Welcome to 9ja bro!

Buhari's first son

Young03:
who is iwobi pls?

Would autograph puts small smile on their faces in this buhariship?money sure pass joor.shame on u iwobi for saying that u don't hear ur papa's language that much

deen4real7902:
for this recession, even if he give me the boot sef, na to sell am

My exact thoughts...and even he give me money i go tell am to give me in pounds mah use my hand change am

Nigerians....lmao

Wetin concern Nigerians with yeye signature

Abeg wetin we wan use signature do?

It only make sense to them in Europe, not here