Fulham vs Arsenal: Alex Iwobi to rewrite Nigeria’s Premier League history in Craven Cottage clash

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi is on the verge of carving his name deeper into Premier League history, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Fulham star will become Nigeria’s most capped player in the competition if he features for Fulham against his former club Arsenal at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Iwobi, who made his Premier League debut under Arsène Wenger in October 2015 during Arsenal’s 3–0 win over Swansea City, has since amassed 298 appearances across three clubs.

Nigeria Super Eagles and Fulham star Alex Iwobi — Alex Iwobi of Fulham. Photo by IMAGO

His next appearance, his 299th, will move him past Shola Ameobi’s long-standing record of 298 games in England’s top flight.

It has taken Iwobi, born in Lagos but raised in London, loads of effort, sacrifices, consistency and evolution to reach this stage of his career.

Nigeria and Fulham star Alex Iwobi. Photo by IMAGO

Iwobi joined Arsenal academy in 2004 when he was barely eight years old and the youngster waited for more than 11 years before making his senior debut for the Gunners.

After another four years with the Arsenal seniors, Iwobi joined Everton in 2019, a few weeks after helping Nigeria win a bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The former England youth international spent four years with the Toffees before Fulham snapped him up for just over €25 million.

Nottingham Forest star Ola Aina challenges Fulham playmaker Alex Iwobi. Photo Credit: Aina/ X

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For Fulham, Iwobi has been a revelation.

Since joining Marco Silva’s side, he has produced some of the best football of his career.

In their recent 3–1 defeat to Bournemouth, he equalled Ameobi’s record. Now, against the club that raised him, he has the chance to stand alone as Nigeria’s most enduring Premier League player.

Iwobi’s resume reveals he has featured 149 times for Arsenal, 140 for Everton, and has so far made 85 appearances for Fulham.

Statistically, he has delivered 11 goals and 17 assists for Arsenal, 6 goals and 13 assists for Everton, and 15 goals and 10 assists for Fulham.

The 2024/25 campaign was Iwobi’s standout year as he registered nine goals and six assists in 38 league matches.

Nigeria Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi — World Cup qualifiers against Central Africa Republic Alex Iwobi during the National Anthem v Central Africa Republic. Photo by IMAGO

In April, the 29-year-old became the first Nigerian player to record over 30 goals and 30 assists in Premier League history. Now, his tally stands at 32 goals and 40 assists overall.

Should he play against Arsenal this weekend, he will be in line to hit another milestone, his 300th Premier League appearance, when Fulham face Newcastle United next week.