Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi has described his move from Arsenal to Everton as a major eye-opener, saying it helped him understand the realities of modern football beyond what happens on the pitch.
Iwobi revealed that shortly after making the switch to Merseyside, he had a conversation with then-Arsenal manager Unai Emery, who clarified that the decision to sell him was made by the club and not by the coach personally.
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“When I spoke to Unai Emery, he explained that the decision came from the club and not from him,” Iwobi said.
The Super Eagles star said that exchange gave him a clearer understanding of how football works behind the scenes, especially at top clubs where decisions are often driven by wider considerations.
“It made me realize that football is also a business, not just a sport,” he added.
Iwobi explained that while the move was initially difficult to process, it ultimately helped him mature and see transfers from a broader perspective.
According to him, he came to understand the manager’s position and accepted that certain decisions are sometimes out of a coach’s hands.
“I understood his standpoint after that,” he said.
The Nigerian midfielder’s comments offer insight into a major turning point in his career, one that shaped his perspective on the professional side of football.
For Iwobi, the Everton move became more than just a transfer, it was also a lesson in how the game operates at the highest level.
