Wenger confirms Akpom, Iwobi for Emirates Cup

In from Nifemi Daniel

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has confirmed Nigerian-born Chuba Akpom and Alex Iwobi for the Emirates Cup this weekend.

Iwobi, the nephew of former Super Eagles midfielder and captain Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, played in Arsenal’s pre-season game against a Singapore Select XI and impressed his manager in the 4-0 rout in which Chuba Akpom scored a hat-trick.

Now Wenger believes the youngster fits into the way the Gunners play while confirming that Chuba Akpom will also be part of the two Emirates Cup games against Olympique Lyon and Wolfsburg.

“The first name that comes to mind [to play] is certainly Chuba Akpom because he has done well on tour,” Wenger told the Arsenal website.

“Maybe two or three more will feature, certainly Alex Iwobi will be very close to making the team for these games as well.

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“I like [Iwobi’s] team attitude, his movement. We have a game based on movement and speed, and he integrates that very well.”

Wenger added: “He has good power and is usually efficient – he scores goals a lot – and he had two good chances against Singapore. He missed them but usually he is capable of scoring.”

Arsenal play against Lyon on Saturday and face German side Wolfsburg the next day.

Both games will kick off at 4.20pm Nigerian time.

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