Arsenal: Arsene Wenger praises 'intelligent' Alex Iwobi after scoring first senior goal in Everton victory

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has praised young winger Alex Iwobi after the 19-year-old scored his first senior goal for the club in the Gunners' 2-0 victory at Everton.

The Nigeria international, who was making his first Premier League start after five previous appearances from the substitutes bench this season, scored in the 42nd minute to double Arsenal's lead, following Danny Welbeck's seventh-minute opener.

Speaking after the match, the 66-year-old explained how pleased he was with the player and why he had decided to bring Iwobi into the first team this season.

"He's an intelligent boy who loves football. He's very passionate about the game and keen to learn. Very hungry as well," he said. "I took him in training at the beginning of pre-season and I liked what he did. After that he improved very quickly with the first team and months after months he developed very well, and that's why I integrated him and played him."

Iwobi represented England at youth level but made his senior debut for Nigeria during a 2-0 friendly over DR Congo on 8 October 2015.

The win was Arsenal's first in the league since Valentine's Day, following defeats to Manchester United and Swansea and a draw with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The result keeps the Gunners third in the Premier League table, three points behind second-placed Tottenham and 11 points behind league leaders Leicester City, albeit with a game in hand.

Arsenal's next league match is at home to Watford on 2 April.