Mexico 0- 7 Chile: Vargas scores four as Copa champion eases into semis

Eduardo Vargas inspired Chile's stunning rout of Mexico, whose 22-game unbeaten streak came to an end on Saturday

Eduardo Vargas scored four goals as defending champion Chile embarrassed Mexico 7-0 in a remarkable quarterfinal to reach the final four of the Copa America Centenario.

Disjointed and inconsistent heading into Saturday's blockbuster clash at Levi's Stadium, Chile was the complete opposite as it dismantled Mexico, whose 22-game unbeaten streak came to an abrupt end in scenes similar to Brazil's 7-1 demolition at the hands of Germany at the 2014 World Cup.

All eyes were on Mexico amid its impeccable run of form but El Tri failed to perform in a dark day for Mexican football, seemingly giving up in second half, conceding three goals in the space of eight minutes after Vargas and Edson Puch put the Chileans in control at the interval.

Alexis Sanchez - who moved joint second on the nation's all-time goalscoring list alongside Ivan Zamorano with his 34th international strike - got in on the action four minutes into the second half before teammate Vargas completed his hat trick and then some, making it six goals in two matches. Puch added a second of his own late in the game as Chile earned a semifinal showdown with Colombia.

No less than six changes were made by Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio following a 1-1 draw with Venezuela in the final group game, with Guillermo Ochoa, Miguel Layun, Nestor Araujo, Jesus Duenas, Jesus Corona and Javier Hernandez coming in for Jose Corona, Diego Reyes, Jorge Torres, Jesus Molina, Javier Aquino and Oribe Peralta.

Chile was far more settled after accounting for Panama 4-2 in their Group D finale, Puch replacing Mauricio Isla.

Playing an aggressive pressing game, the Chileans almost broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, when Arturo Vidal played a perfectly-weighed throughball to Puch, who was thwarted by a last-ditch challenge from Araujo as the ball deflected wide for a corner.

But Puch was not to be denied his first international goal six minutes later, with the Mexico-based midfielder on hand to tuck away the rebound after Ochoa's clearance fell to his feet.

Mexico gradually improved as the half wore on but Chile proved to be a constant threat on the counterattack. Vargas scored in the 37th minute but his strike was correctly ruled out for offside, though the linesman could do nothing as the in-form forward doubled Chile's lead on the stroke of halftime. Alexis Sanchez played an inviting ball into the six-yard box and Vargas nipped in front of his opponent before firing beyond Ochoa.

Things went from bad to worse for Mexico in the second half as Chile made it 4-0 inside 10 minutes. After winning the ball, Vidal laid it into the path of Sanchez for a simple finish in the 49th minute and Mexico was torn to shreds as Vargas netted his second of the match following a defensive error three minutes later.

Vargas was at it again approaching the hour mark and he then fired the ball into the roof of the net from an acute angle with 16 minutes remaining as Mexico were put well and truly to the sword, with the Hoffenheim man taking his international tally to 31 goals, fourth all-time for Chile.           And the man who started the onslaught, Puch, finished it with his brace three minutes from time

Among these past and present Nigerian leaders who is your favorite? please indicate by using A B C OR D

 

EFCC Commences Probe of Alleged Infractions in NEITI’s Audit Report

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has started scrutinizing the 2013 audit report of financial and process flows into Nigeria’s extractive industries prepared by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) which alleged that billions of dollars was not remitted to the federation account.

The EFCC according to a statement from NEITI in Abuja yesterday, has in this regard set up a joint task force to study the report and identify areas where financial crimes had been committed against Nigeria by operators in her oil, gas and solid minerals industries.
It stated in the statement signed by NEITI’s Director of Communications, Orji Ogbonnanya Orji that the Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu made the decision to investigate the content of the report after receiving copies of the reports from NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Waziri Adio.

Magu, it noted, explained that it was no longer acceptable for NEITI to publish reports and agencies, companies and individuals that have clearly committed financial crimes as disclosed by the reports left to go without sanctions.
“I have heard people say that NEITI has no teeth to bite, but today I assure you that by our renewed joint collaboration, the EFCC will provide NEITI with the required teeth to bite,” Magu was quoted to have said. He also advised members of the task force to carry out the assignments with utmost diligence by developing an action plan for the commission to work with.
Adio on his part lamented that while NEITI has been churning out series of audit reports since 2004, no one has either been tried or convicted for economic infractions.
He thus called on the EFCC to step in and help NEITI enforce required sanctions as contained in the NEITI Act. He also explained that through the NEITI process, information and data contained in its reports are based on facts voluntarily provided and signed up by covered entities during the audit process.
According to him, the recent report on oil, gas and solid minerals for the period 2013 highlighted several issues that require full scale investigations by the EFCC.
NEITI’s visit to and collaboration with the EFCC follows its presentation and debate of the audit reports for the first time to the Nigerian Senate at plenary.

The Senate had after Adio’s presentation of the report and its debate, set up a nine member committee headed by Senator Jubril Barau, Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) to study and advise it on the necessary legislative actions it can take on it.             NEITI had in the 2013 audit of operations in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry flagged off several operational anomalies allegedly committed against the country either by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or other independent operators.

The agency in the report disclosed that the NNPC has not remitted $12.9 billion it received from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) as dividend in eight years to the government, though the NNPC has provided an explanation on how parts of the money was spent by it. NEITI also said the sums of $5.966 billion and N20.4 billion were lost by the country within the period majorly from NNPC’s operation of Offshore Processing Agreements (OPA), crude oil swap arrangements and products’ theft, and that the sums of $3.8 billion and N358.3 billion were still outstanding payments due to the federation from the NNPC and all of its subsidiaries from its operations amongst others.

 In a related development, the NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Waziri Adio, has expressed the readiness of his agency to collaborate with the EFCC, in tackling corruption in the country by reporting serious infractions that violate the country’s constitution. Adio stated this yesterday during a courtesy visit to the acting Chairman EFCC, Ibrahim Magu at the Commission’s Head Office, Abuja

Pictures of Super Eagles Player Onazi Ogenyi & Sandra Ogunsuyi's white wedding today

Onazi Ogenyi wedded his bride, Sandra Ogunsuyi in Lagos today, June 18. Jude Ighako, Ideye Brown, Sunday Mba, Kenneth Omeruo, Tony Ugah and others were present

Photos: Abuja-Kaduna high speed train project is ready, to fully commence operations in July

Barring inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari, in July, all is but set for the full commencement of operations of the high speed rail project which connects Abuja and Kaduna State.

'I don't live in Banky W's house', singer clears air

Asked about her relationship status, Niyola revealed she is very much single and not or was ever in a relationship with Banky W.EME’s First Lady, Niyola in a chat with Genevieve Magazine talks about her rumoured affair with Banky W, the fact that some people say she is underrated, her beauty regimen and more.

When asked about her current challenges as a woman she said, "Being expected to see myself as incomplete because I am not married or remotely bothered that I am not and being pressured to feel so."

Asked about her relationship status, Niyola revealed she is very much single and not or was ever in a relationship with Banky W.

According to her, "I am very single. On if she dated Banky W: I don’t live in Banky’s house and we never dated. On being described as underrated, "As I always say , success is relative . I know my fans love and appreciate my art. My music is not for everybody and so it’s ok if a select number appreciate it."

Just recently, Niyola disclosed that she is open to fall in love again, although she might be a bit conflicted dating her boss, since she is signed to Banky's EME label, but we'll keep our fingers crossed.

Family claims late producer’s colleagues yet to visit

A family member at OJB’s residence reportedly stated that the entertainment industry is full of fake friends as they claim a number of his celebrity friends are only mourning him on social media.

According to OloriSuperGirl, OJB Jezreel’s family is not pleased with his colleagues in the industry who they claim abandoned him to his fate in the last days of his life.

A family member at OJB’s residence reportedly stated that the entertainment industry is full of fake friends as they claim a number of his celebrity friends are only mourning him on social media.

OJB passed away in the early hours of Tuesday after battling with kidney disease for four years.His close friend, Nomoreloss who helped in raising the money needed for his Kidney transplant in 2013 also died in March while recovering from Typhoid. OJB’s family revealed he had been neglected for a long time, adding that most of the funds raised to foot the bill of OJB’s kidney transplant in India about three years ago didn’t come from the entertainment industry.OJB’s remains have since been deposited at the Isolo general hospital morgue and details of his burial are yet to be disclosed.

Niger Delta struggle is not for political thugs

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) says the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) are political thugs.

NDA also accused Emami Ayiri of plotting to derail the Niger Delta struggle.

The militant group issued a statement titled: Niger Delta struggle is not for political thugs.The group’s spokesman, Brig. Gen Mudoch Agbinibo who signed the statement said "We are watching with keen interest the unwholesome activities of the political thugs and agents of APC to undermine the Niger Delta struggle in the likes of Mr. Ayiri and gangs.

"Few days ago, he and his group was parading, regrouping, rebranding and re-arming defunct Ex-MEND and settled Militants leaders discussing pipelines, oil and gas facilities contract in Edo State Government house. Today he and his co-travelers are in delta state Government house, the Itsekiri Militants leader with community leaders and unfortunately branding them as representatives of Niger Delta Avengers for self-gain and political survivals.

"We condemn its entirety the continuous linking of the Niger Delta Avengers to any meeting in Delta State Government in Asaba with Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

"We have never missed words in telling the whole listening world that the Niger Delta Avengers will not be part any dialogue deal that will not bring about “ the peace of our time; but we want a peace with honour” as such we could not be a party to any meeting with the likes of Ayiri Emami and his co- travelers that that are ready to kill and trade for the interest of pipeline, oil and gas facilities contract from the Government to bloat their pockets and urge fantasies ."

 

Governor Rochas Okorocha reacts to the protest by pensioners

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has reacted to the recent protest by pensioners in the state.

The elderly pensioners on Wednesday, June 15, took to the streets of the state capital to demonstrate over non payment of their entitlements by the government. Below is the statement issued by Sam Onwuemeodo, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor:
“The State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has sincerely commended the pensioners in the state for the peaceful manner with which they had conducted their protest on Thursday, June 16, 2016 over the non-payment of their pensions for certain months.
The governor contends that the Pensioners were right to have gone on protest over their pensions, and had only exercised their guaranteed right of protest over an issue affecting them.                          It was as a result of the appreciation of the reason for the protest that made the governor to direct the security agencies in the state and all the government officials to be on their toes for the period the protest had lasted to ensure that no pensioner involved in the exercise was insulted or touched. And the pensioners had had undisrupted outing, and even chased away the Commissioner for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) who was sent to talk with them on what could be made available for them as entertainment, while discussion with their leaders would follow. However, the only area the governor felt and still feel worried with the pensioners was their failure or inability to find out the reason for the delay in the payment of their pensions since such situation had not arisen before now.
The pensioners in the state do not need to be told that the governor loves them greatly and would have also loved to pay them all the arrears outrightly given the option since he had paid them religiously since 2011, until now. And the governor had expected the pensioners to ask question and find out the reason for the delay this time.
Since 2011, and before the current economic challenges across the nation, the government had paid the pensioners in the state without taking cognizance of certain lapses in the administration of the pension payments and the number of genuine pensioners in the state. But the economic situation in the country at the moment occasioned by the mismanagement of the country’s resources over the years, which has also affected negatively the financies of the states has called for stringent measures in the payment of salaries and pensions. It was this development that had compelled the government to find out why between 2011 and now, the number of pensioners in the state has snowballed by 500 percent, and the amount involved gone from hundreds of millions of naira to billions of naira.
That was one of the reasons the government embarked on verification. And preliminary findings have shown that a cartel had used the opportunity offered to them by the change of government in 2011 to inflate unpatriotically the number of pensioners in the state to a level that is unbelievable. And that is what the government has been assiduously working to rectify. And the truth remains that once the government succeeds in separating the fake pensioners from the genuine ones, the genuine ones would be paid their pensions. And this action will be taken in a matter of weeks.
The governor therefore regrets the delay and at the same time appeals to the pensioners in the state for their understanding, bearing in mind that he meant well for them since 2011 when he became governor. It is equally important to let the pensioners know that those urging them to take one action or the other do not love them more than governor Okorocha. For instance, the owner of the particular Radio station in the state that had tried to make out something sinister from the pensioners’ protest was reported to have got more than N750 million from the 4 billion dollars’ arms purchase scandal, and the pensioners should ask those in the radio station why they didn’t bring up the N750 million issue for discussion.
Once more, the governor appeals to the pensioners in the state for understanding.

Togo national team including Emmanuel Adebayor to play match in honour of Late Stephen Keshi

Two generations of the Sparrow Hawks will line up in honour of their former coach who died on June 8 during a memorial game in Lome on Sunday.

Players from the 2006 Togolese national team will face off against the 2016 side in a memorial match in honour of former coach Stephen Keshi who died on June 8 aged 54, Goal has confirmed.

Keshi led the tiny nation to qualify for its first ever World Cup in Germany with little-known striker Emmanuel Adebayor leading the charge.

The former Arsenal and Real Madrid striker will lead his team mates from that era to face the present Hawks on Sunday at the Stade Municipal in Lome.

The game is organized by the country’s sports writers union, Association des Journalistes Sportifs du Togo (AJST).

Aime Ekpe, president of the union, said that the game is being organized in conjunction with the country’s sport ministry in honour of the Nigerian tactician.

“The game is between players of the team that Stephen Keshi qualified for the 2006 World Cup like Emmanuel Adebayor and the present generation of the national team,” Ekpe told Goal .

Gates will be thrown open for fans to come in and pay their respects to the former defender whose first of two tenures in charge of the Sparrow Hawks took their country into the big leagues.

Ekpe also informed Goal that the Togolese Football Federation (FTF) is in talks with the Nigeria Football Federation to hold a commemorative international match in honour of Keshi.

“Negotiations are taking place and the match would be played either in Lome or in Lagos,” said Ekpe. 

Obanikoro Slams N100m Suit over Invasion, Seizure of Properties

 

Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro yesterday slammed a N100 million suit on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged breached of his fundamental human rights.

 

The former Minister is demanding the sum as general damages for the alleged unlawful and unconstitutional seizure and detention of several items, properties and personal effects belonging to him and family by the EFCC on June 24, 2016.  Other applicants in the suit are: Mrs. Fati Obanikoro, Alhaja Moroophat Obanikoro, Gbolahon Obanikoro, Babajide Obanikoro.

 Obanikoro in the fundamental rights enforcement suit, filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN) ,  is also praying the court to restrain the EFCC whether by its officers, Servants, privies, assigns or agents from arresting, detaining, harassing any of the applicants or any of their relatives pending the hearing and determination of the suit. The applicants also want the court to restrain the commission from further entering their premises and an order Directing it to tender an unreserved public apology to them for the unlawful action.                                                                         They are also asking the court to direct the respondent to release all the items, properties and personal effects seized from their premises.

The applicants further prayed the court to hold that the action of the EFCC constitutes a gross violation of their fundamental rights as guaranteed under section 43 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In a 15 paragraphs affidavit attached to the suit and sworn to by Mrs. Fati Obanikoro, stated that on June 14 some officials of the EFCC numbering about 20 stormed their premises situated at 10 Mojisola Onikoyi Street, by Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos and took away several items. She also alleged that the respondent thereafter proceeded to also search the personal house of the former Minister at 4 Layi Ajayi-Bembe road, Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos

 She also claimed that before the alleged invasion of the premises there was no prior notice by way of letter or invitation served on any of the applicants and there was also no order of court mandating them to carry out the action. She listed some of the items seized by the Commission to include: building plans, cheque leaflets, company documents, car keys, phones, two company seals and six company stamps.

The applicant further averred that the EFCC officials claimed that they were investigating the former Minister and two of his children but some of the properties taken away did not belong to them.
She also insisted that unless the court issued an order compelling the commission, it will not return the seized properties.
No date has been for the hearing of the suit.

Photos: 'Two men of God' allegedly caught having sex in Enugu

A pastor and an apostle were today, Friday June 17, caught pants down in Ngwo community of Enugu North Local Government of Enugu State.

“Around 1.00am in the morning two men were caught having sexual intercourse. One of them is a pastor and the other is known as an apostle. The so called pastor who was discovered to be the man in the gay relationship had been reported earlier to the vigilante group of Ngwo neighborhood by a boy of twelve who claimed he was raped by the pastor and had Fluid poured into his mouth after the abuse. 

The vigilante group did not prosecute the pastor after the report because there was no concrete evidence. They resolved to monitor the pastor from that day unknown to him. It was on this day, 17th June 2016 that he was caught in the act of gay sex and all said about him by the young boy he molested was believed. The pastor denied the report of the twelve year old boy. ” I only masturbated him and kissed him” he said.He further disclosed he is of Imo state origin”

Chinese man arrested for attempted assasination of his Nigerian business partner in Lagos

The Nigerian Police have arrested a Chinese man identified as Sun Hun in connection with a plot to assassinate his Nigerian business partner.

Police reports say that Hun hired Chika Eze who claimed to have received N1.4 million to assassinate Hun’s business partner.

Chika Eze told the police “He is my boss. He told me to arrange boys to kill his business partner who is owing him. He discussed the amount with them and then gave me N1.4 million. I have already given them N400,000 that was why the police found one million Naira on me,”

Sun Hun however denied the claims, “He refused to pay my money. Instead he went to court when I was not around and claimed that I was owing him N10 million. He got judgment against me and the court said I should pay.

“He is an Igbo man and I did not ask them to kill him. I told them to do juju for the man,” said Hun.

(Photos)TB Joshua Rescues Stranded Nigerian Deportees From Libya, Splashes N6m

Nigerian Prophet, T.B. Joshua, has splashed N6m ($30,000) on over a hundred Nigerian deportees who arrived from Libya on the evening of Thursday 16th June, 2016.

According to media reports, 162 Nigerians were deported from the North African nation with the aid of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Swiss government and the Nigerian Embassy in Libya.

However, rather than return home, 107 decided to ‘seek refuge’ at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), the popular Lagos-based church of T.B. Joshua.

According to a post on Joshua’s official Facebook Page, after feeding the dishevelled and frail-looking Nigerians who arrived at the church late in the night, the sum of N50,000 was given to each of them alongside a bag of rice.

“Let me be honest with you, if not for this gift from T.B. Joshua, I had the plan of joining the militants in the Niger Delta,” admitted Friday, a returnee from Delta State, who fell to his knees in gratitude after receiving the gift.

The deportees explained to this reporter that most of them had been surviving by doing menial jobs in the war-torn nation before being arrested and imprisoned.

“We came back with nothing but the clothes on our backs which were given to us by United Nations officials,” said Michael, an Edo State indigene who had been in Libya for nearly ten months, washing cars for a living while nursing the hope of reaching Europe one day. Arrested in February for staying illegally, Michael endured several months in a Libyan prison before the insufferable conditions of the prisoners attracted the attention of United Nations officials who procured their eventual release.

“I was thinking of how I was going to start my life again,” he admitted. “Many of us would have ended up in crime if not for this gift.”

Upon arrival, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provided transportation vehicles for the returnees to their respective states along with a gesture of N10,000 by the Swiss government.

However, the majority chose to seek help from Joshua, who is famed for his extensive humanitarian gestures.

“We decided to come to The SCOAN because we know how Prophet T.B. Joshua has been helping people around the world,” Michael explained, referring to multiple other occasions where Joshua has rendered assistance to Nigerian deportees.

“I can only thank the man of God. Which other Nigerian could have done this for us at such a time in this country?”he tearfully pondered, decrying the muted response from the Nigerian government to their plight.

According to Collins, the young Nigerian had no intention to traverse Libya. Wild promises from a ‘friend’ of a glamorous life in Europe lured him away from a stable job in Abuja, not knowing that the European dream would lead him to a Libyan dungeon.

The fantasy turned to a nightmare as Libyan police broke into the commune where he was residing with dozens of other Nigerians en-route to a ‘better life’ abroad that never materialised.

“We are not here to blame or accuse the Libyan government,” he stated, recounting the inhumane conditions he endured in prison in which several of his colleagues died.

One of the deportees hobbled to the church on crutches.”I had a serious motor accident shortly after arriving to join my wife in Libya,” he narrated. “I have been in pain ever since but I thank God for using Prophet T.B. Joshua to wipe our tears away today.”

Joshua, who recently celebrated his 53rd birthday on June 12th 2016, also assisted Nigerian deportees who returned from Libya earlier this year, as well as aiding Nigerians returned from South Africa last month.

American kills himself in Taiwan courtroom after he was sentenced to 4 years in jail on drug charges

 

A 41-year-old American man and father of two, Tyrel Martin Marhanka, was sitting in a courtroom in Taiwan during his sentencing on drug possession charges when he suddenly pulled a sharp object and stabbed it deep into his neck, unleashing a gush of blood, according to the Taipei Times.

Some witnesses said the object he stabbed himself with was a pair of scissors, while others said they saw him use two metallic objects. Court officials told the Times that Marhanka separated a pair of scissors into two sharp blades and plunged it into his neck.

The shocking incident took place after a judge gave Marhanka a four-year prison sentence for smuggling poppy seeds into the country and growing marijuana.
Marhanka was married to a Taiwanese woman and had two children, and he had lived in the island for over 15 years, AFP reported.                                                                                                                                             Marhanka was arrested in April 2015 after police discovered a large stash of illegal drugs at a rented house which he lived in. The drugs included hundreds of cannabis plants and 10 opium poppies.

He told police the plants were a “hobby” that he intended to use on his own and that he had no intention to sell them.                                                                     Witnesses said that after the judge read the sentence out loud, Marhanka turned to the interpreter, who informed him of the sentence.

“Four years?” a shocked Marhanka was heard saying.The interpreter explained to Marhanka that the sentence could be appealed, but Marhanka said he didn’t want to do so.

“I don’t want to live anymore,” he yelled, before stabbing himself in the neck and severing at least one artery.
He was rushed to a hospital, where he died.

IWOBI: I was told I won’t make it in football

Arsenal and Nigerian forward, Alex Iwobi in this interview with Arsenal magazine, recalls how he was told that he was not good enough to play football and won’t succeed through the round leather game.

 It was an incredible season for you Alex, when did you first realise how big it could be for you?
 I think it was after my first start, in the FA Cup game against Sunderland at Emirates in January. I’d played a few games as sub, but I think everything changed from then really. It was at home, in a big competition and that’s when I started to get a bit of recognition. We won as well, so people took notice from then really.

What performance were you most proud of?
 In my opinion my best performance was against Barcelona because I think they are the best team in the world. For such a young player to play in a game like that gave me a lot of confidence. You can’t get any bigger than that – Barcelona away – so to just be selected for that game means I am doing something right. Also I thought I did all right in the game as well, so that’s my favourite performance, even though we didn’t win.

Then a few days later you scored your first goal…
That Everton game was crazy. To be honest I was a bit shocked when I found out I was even starting against Everton, but I was really happy. The goal was crazy. I’ve always dreamt about scoring just one goal for Arsenal, and for it to come on my first start was just crazy. I couldn’t believe it.

How has your regular run in the team developed your game?
It’s improved me a lot. It’s made me understand a lot more about football, tactically as well as the physical demands of the game. I’ll have to improve on that if I want to stay in the first team. There’s a lot more physical and tactical work than I was used to for the under-21s. I’m still learning the game, there’s a lot to work on.

How have you coped with the routine of playing Premier League football week in week out?
 I prefer the routine because I love playing games, everyone wants to play as much as possible. It’s a lot more tiring though, I must say, there’s more recovery time needed – I’m sleeping a whole lot more lately! To be fair I’m always sleeping anyway, I did a lot when I was playing for the under-21s. I do like my sleep!

Growing up at the club, did you always think it was inevitable you would play for the first team, or were you more realistic?
 Well I was on trial at six, and I think I was eight when I signed. I nearly got released when I was 13 or 14, so back then I really didn’t think I would make it here. There was a stage when I wasn’t playing up above my age group, but all the better players were. I questioned myself a lot at that age about whether I was good enough, but I eventually got through it. They did keep me on and I guess since then that’s when I really kicked on. I played in the Nike Cup (youth tournament) shortly after that, and then England called me up and things started moving.

Has it been a gradual progression, or can you look back and pinpoint moments or seasons when you made massive leaps in your development?
 Yeah, I remember the first time I got called to play up above my age group. I was, about 14 or 15 I think, and there was a game against Fulham, I came on and I managed to score, the first ever time I got called to play up (above my age group). Then we played Leicester, and even though we lost 3-1, I thought I played really well. There were a few games that stood out at about that time. I remember I got called to play for Steve Bould’s under-16 team, and I scored then. I was still about 14 or 15 and that meant a lot.

Was that when you started to think about making it as a pro at Arsenal, or did you always have the belief you were good enough?
 No, not really, it just gradually happens. I never really thought about things like when I was young. I always questioned myself about whether I was even good enough to play in my own age group. That’s all I ever thought about. When I was about 13 I needed the confidence from my family, because I was getting a lot of criticism from elsewhere. I heard people saying that I wasn’t good enough, people at school, a few coaches said I wasn’t quick enough and I wasn’t strong enough, so I did have doubts. They told me I won’t make it. It put me down, but since then I’ve been able to motivate myself.

In hindsight, would you have done anything differently when you were younger?
 I wish I was a lot more confident, but saying that, the fact I’m here in the first team squad now, perhaps I wouldn’t change anything.

“What do you feel you need to work on next season?
 I think because of the position I play I need to get more goals and assists. I haven’t done that for a while, a few games, so I need to add that to my game next season. I’m aware I haven’t got an assist or a goal for a few games, so I need to get something. I know a lot of hard work is going to be required to kick on again next season. I’ve been putting my head down, getting on with it and putting in the work.

Finally Alex, what are your targets for next season?
 Let me think. I don’t know, because I always just want to play as many games as I can. But now I’ve got a couple of goals this season, I suppose I want to better that. I just hope I get the chance again next season, because I’m sure there will be more players, so I will have to earn my spot again.