Alex Iwobi Breaks Premier League Record

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has emerged as the Nigerian with the highest number of appearances in the Premier League.

He reached this milestone during Fulham’s 1-0 loss to his former team, Arsenal, at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening, October 18.

Iwobi played the full 90 minutes as Arsenal secured a late winning goal.

The 28-year-old matched Ameobi’s record of 298 matches when he started for Fulham against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium earlier this month, and he has now surpassed it to become Nigeria’s most-capped Premier League player.

Iwobi’s landmark appearance occurred nearly ten years after his Premier League debut for Arsenal against Swansea City on October 27, 2015 — a fitting full-circle moment as he faced his former club in the record-setting match.

Behind Iwobi and Ameobi on the all-time list of Nigerian Premier League appearances is the legendary Nwankwo Kanu, who accumulated 273 games for Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, and Portsmouth. Prolific striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni ranks fourth with 252 appearances.

Rounding out the top five is John Obi Mikel, the accomplished midfielder who secured numerous trophies with Chelsea, including two Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, with a total of 249 league appearances.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli