Arsenal starlet Alex Iwobi has revealed that he, along with fellow Gunner Chuba Akpom, rejected the opportunity to join West Ham United's youth academy as promising nine-year-olds.
The Nigeria international told Match of the Day magazine that they opted for Arsenal instead because they both supported the club when they were growing up.
Iwobi, 20, and Akpom, 21, have both since risen through the ranks at the Emirates, with the former now a permanent fixture in Arsene Wenger's starting eleven since his debut in February.
The winger, who has three assists to his name this season, revealed both he and Akpom were scouted by the two London clubs at the age of six, and for three years, were training with both sides before they made their career defining decisions at the tender age of nine.
The young Alex Iwobi and Chuba Akpom. #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/RqNaYUk5vK
Iwobi said, as quoted bySquawka News: "Arsenal and West Ham were interested in me and Chuba.
"We were training with both clubs for three years, because we were scouted at six and you can't sign until you're nine.
"I decided to sign for Arsenal because I supported them back then and I always saw them as the bigger club - no disrespect to West Ham!"
While Iwobi has started in seven of Arsenal's nine Premier League matches, his longtime friend and teammate Akpom has made just one appearance for the first team this season.
The 21-year-old has recently suffered an injury setback, with the youngsterconfirming on his Instagramaccount that the back injury was 'minor'and that he should be fit soon.