Arsene Wenger backs Alex Iwobi's Rio 2016 Nigeria ambition

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By Samuel Ahmadu

The Frenchman has backed the Arsenal youngster's dreams to feature for his country's U23 side under the watch of coach Samson Siasia's men in Rio 2016
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has announced his club will not stop Alex Iwobi from representing Nigeria at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The 19-year-old finally laid to rest uncertainty regarding his international career after he made his competitive debut for the Super Eagles against Egypt last week and committing his future to Nigeria.
Afterwards, Iwobi declared his intention to be a part of the Olympic squad.
“I am looking forward to the forthcoming Olympics and if I am invited, I will do my best to make a meaningful contribution,” Iwobi told Goal.
He added: "I believe that Nigeria has a crop of excellent players who are capable of doing great things at the Olympics. Coach Samson Siasia deserves a lot of praise for securing a place for the nation at the Olympics.
Fifa had announced last September that teams in Europe are not mandated to release players for the tournament in Rio following its non-inclusion on the calendar of international matches.
But the Arsenal manager insists he will not stand in Iwobi’s way while welcoming his choice of playing for Nigeria.
“We have to respect his choice. He had the choice between England and Nigeria and in the end he chose Nigeria,” Wenger told media at Thursday’s press conference.
“We respect that, and also the possibility that he will go to the Olympic Games, that he will also go to the Africa Cup of Nations and travel a bit more than he would have done here. We have to respect that,” he concluded.
Nigeria, one of three African representatives, will find out their opponents in the preliminary stages of the men's football tournament at the draws in Brazil on April 14.

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