Manchester City starlet Abdi Ibrahim is eager to start playing Premier League football ‒ and admits he is flattered by reported interest from Arsenal.
Ibrahim, 22, was part of Manchester City’s FA Youth Cup winning team in 2008 and made his senior debut shortly after Roberto Mancini took charge in 2010.
But with Arsenal eyeing the rangy Somali-born midfielder after two years on loan at Norwegian side Stromsgodset, he confessed he would jump at the chance to play for Arsene Wenger.
“I’m very flattered to be linked with Arsenal,” he told Sky Sports. “I grew up as an Arsenal fan and my hero was Patrick Vieira when he was playing there.
“I would be very honoured to play for Arsenal and it would be all my dreams come true to work with Arsene Wenger.
“He has developed so many young players over the years and gave them chances in the first team.”
Ibrahim, who has represented Norway at all junior levels from under-15 to under-23, could be playing under Vieira with City’s Elite Development Squad should he stay at the Etihad.
And with one year remaining on his City contract, Ibrahim said any decision on his future would only be made when he returns from the European Under-21 Championships.
“At the moment my focus now is doing very well next month in Israel with my national team and hopefully try and win the tournament,” he explained.
“I’m open to extending my new deal, but I’d like to meet the new manager if it’s [Manuel] Pelligrini and see what he has to say.
“I’m 22 years old now and I want to be playing week in, week out in the Premier League.”
