Kanu shocked by Iwobi's switch to Everton

Cape Town - Arsenal legend Nwankwo Kanu believes his former club "made a mistake" after allowing forward Alex Iwobi to join Everton in the off-season.

Iwobi completed a surprise move to Everton on deadline day last month, ending a 15-year association with Arsenal.

The Nigerian has since explained the reasons behind his departure but compatriot and former Gunner Kanu says it "was a shock" that Arsenal let him leave.

The club stands to earn up to £34 million from the deal but Kanu feels Iwobi was priceless due to what he represented.

"I would say they made a mistake, 100 per cent," Kanu told Goal. "Why they let him go, I don't know.

"He's a boy who, in and out, is Arsenal. He always wanted to do his best for the club. He loves the club, but not only that he can play football.

"What he brings week in, week out, the fans need to appreciate that.

"I think he is still young and those are the type of people you want in the team, people who grew up here, who knows everything about the club and wants to die for the club.

"He was one of them, so for us to lose him and to let him go, was a shock. I couldn't really believe we did it, but that's football."

- TeamTalk Media