Arsenal manager Unai Emery has confirmed Alex Iwobi has been handed a new contract.
“I have the information – he’s near. First, I want to work with every player, and they are coming [back from their breaks after World Cup duty],” Emery said.
“Mesut [Ozil], Iwobi, [Mohamed] Elneny are starting to work with us, the first week is very good. My information is he is going to sign and continue with us.”
The 22-year-old, who featured for Nigeria at the World Cup and was recently linked with a move away to Serie A club Lazio, has two years left on his current deal.
Media reports have already suggested the Eagles forward will now earn £70,000-a-week and his contract is now till 2023.
Iwobi made 39 appearances for Arsenal last season, starting 22 Premier League games, in which he scored three times and recorded a further five assists.
Iwobi is preparing for a make-or-break season as he bids to establish himself as a regular in the Arsenal first team.
The Lagos-born 22-year-old is one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the Gunners’ youth set up in the past decade.
He earned rave reviews in his first campaign in the first team, but struggled for form last year as Arsenal finished sixth in the Premiership.
Competition for places is stiff at The Emirates, but the club clearly believes in Iwobi as it has rewarded him with a new £70,000-a-week, five-year deal.
Now he must make himself an indispensable member of the starting 11.
Emery has a strong track record of helping youngsters flourish throughout his career, and he can bring a more structured approach to Iwobi’s development than Wenger managed in his final season at The Emirates.
The Spaniard has already shown Jack Wilshere the door, but this ruthlessness did not extend to Iwobi.
Lazio were interested in bringing Iwobi, but Arsenal rejected the approach and offered him a new deal instead, so Emery clearly rates him.
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