Posted: May 23, 2011
Beats Asamoah Gyan To New Award In England
FOOTBALL:
Peter Osaze Odemwingie’s agent has insisted the Albion striker remains committed to Nigeria despite being axed from the international squad in a row with the manager.
Agent David Omigie at the weekend attempted to end the dispute that exploded Thursday afternoon when coach Samson Siasia dropped Odemwingie and accused him of walking out of the last get-together without permission.
Omigie said: “The Nigerian Football Federation is the governing body and their decision must be respected.
“What happened in the past is not an issue we want to go back to because of the respect Peter has for the federation and the coach and the loyalty he has to Nigeria.
“He will be ready to play when he is called on again.”
Odemwingie has been left out by Samson Siasia for a friendly against Argentina and an African Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia next month, after the coach claimed other internationals had threatened to strike if action was not taken.
Siasia claims the forward left the previous Nigeria squad without permission, with the pair also clashing over comments by Odemwingie on Twitter.
Odemwingie left the training camp in Abuja in March citing an injury ahead of a friendly against Kenya, flying back to England and playing for Albion against Liverpool four days after the international.
Meanwhile, Odemwingie could be on his way to the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal have shown an interest in acquiring the services of the 15-goal West Bromwich Albion forward.
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has contacted the agent who facilitated Andrey Arshavin's move to the London club from Zenit St Peters on the closing day of the 2009/2010 transfer window to ensure that the Nigerian international joins the Gunners this summer.
A close confidant of the former Lokomotiv Moscow forward, who was a major omission in coach Samson Siasia's 24-man squad for the high profile June 1 international friendly match between Nigeria and Argentina slated for Abuja, revealed that Wenger is desperate to strengthen the Arsenal squad with the Nigerian hitman.
"Being left out of the Super Eagles list for the match against Argentina and Ethiopia in the Nations Cup qualifier is the least of Osaze's problems for now," starts the our source.
"Osaze has bigger things to sort out, for instance his possible transfer this summer. I can tell you that Arsenal have renewed interest in him.Unlike in the past, they have shown a lot of seriousness and determination to have him.
"As I speak with you, Arsenal have contacted the agent who helped in the capture of Arshavin to help. But of course, Manchester City have also shown an interest in him. So also have Newcastle and even Fulham. But the Arsenal link is getting stronger and this is the much I can tell you for now."
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