May 14, 2026

Why Iwobi Never Went On Loan – Arsene Wenger

By Gbolahan Adeyemi

“Everybody’s career is different – the maturing phase is different for everyone,” – Wenger to Arsenal Magazine.


Alex Iwobi in action for Arsenal


The Gunners boss attributed the Nigerian’s direct transition to the first team as key reason why he was not shipped out of the club for more experience.

Arsene Wenger has revealed the reason why Alex Iwobi was not allowed to go on loan for more experience before becoming a mainstay in the Arsenal team.

The Frenchman who handed the Nigeria international his first team debut in 2015, said the ‘speed’ of ‘maturity’ was key to making such decision.

“Everybody’s career is different – the maturing phase is different for everyone,” Wenger told
Arsenal Magazine .

“Some stand still and then suddenly have an acceleration in the speed of their maturity which allows them to get straight into the first team.

“Some take advantage of situations where players are injured. You give them a chance and they don’t need to go through the loan step because they have been given an acceleration to the first team.

“Some are not completely ready so they need to go to another club where they can acquire that maturity.

“Everybody is different but, for 90 per cent of the players, the loan phase is an important one.”

Google News

Stay connected via Google.

Add Okay News as a preferred source for faster follow-through coverage.

Preferred sourceAdd on Google
Advertisement

About the author

Advertisement
Stay with Okay News

Follow the report beyond this story

Follow Okay News across the channels and tools you use most.

ChannelFollow on WhatsAppDirect story alerts, sharper updates, and easier sharing with your circle.Preferred sourceAdd on GoogleFollow Okay News updates across Google surfaces.Visual briefingsFollow on InstagramVisual updates, clips, and newsroom highlights.Reader appGet the appRead Okay News on your mobile device.