*Commends MTN, Gunners for organising coaching clinic in Lagos
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By Duro Ikhazuagbe
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A former Arsenal FC star, Ray Parlour, has tipped Super Eagles attacking midfielder, Alex Iwobi to become one of the best footballers of his generation if he adds scoring more goals to his game.
Iwobi was the star of the senior Nigerian team at the weekend as his 73rd minute goal against Zambia helped the three-time African champions qualify for a sixth World Cup.
Parlour who spoke yesterday at the closing ceremony of the MTN/Arsenal Football Clinic for Coaches and Children at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, insisted that Iwobi  has a great future ahead of him if he continues to work very hard.
“Iwobi is still a young player and in (Arsene) Wenger he is in good hands.  He listens and works hard and with time I believe he will become a top player not only for Arsenal but also for Nigeria.
“What he needs is to learn to score more goals and contribute more to the defensive side of the game. Iwobi’s movement on and off the ball is excellent, but he still has a lot to learn. He is one of the players to watch at the World Cup,†observed Parlour who was part of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The former midfielder who played alongside another Nigerian, Nwankwo Kanu at Arsenal further rates Iwobi as one of the most promising midfielders in the game.Â
Parlour was in Nigeria for three days for the MTN/Arsenal coaching clinic. He was excited by the passion shown by the participants for football.
Parlour was in Nigeria for three days for the MTN/Arsenal coaching clinic. He was excited by the passion shown by the participants for football.
While commending MTN for their partnership with Arsenal, he advised aspiring young footballers to always believe in themselves, work hard and listen to their coaches in order to fulfill their potentials.
 “Its quite nice to see so many kids who are enthusiastic about football here in Nigeria. I remember that I got into the Arsenal Academy when I was just 11 years old. I am excited about this opportunity because it’s a heartwarming reminder of how it all began for me. “My advice to these youngsters is that they must always show belief in their ability. Anybody, who wants to make it in football, must listen to his coache, ask questions when they are lost and keep practising because practice makes perfect,†concludes Parlour.
Meanwhile, Alex Iwobi’s father, Chuka Iwobi has expressed his happiness with the performance of his son for the Super Eagles.
The senior Iwobi wrote on his personal Facebook timeline yesterday: “Young Alex following in the footsteps of his uncle Jay Jay… Russia World Cup, here we come!!!  Iwobi is an uncle to former Super Eagles Captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha.
In apparent show of gratitude to God and also making Nigerians happy, the senior Iwobi concluded: “We have so many reasons to thank the Lord. So proud of you as a father- I am honoured that you played a part in our qualification to the World Cup in Russia.â€
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