Arsene Wenger thinks England have missed out on a future star in young Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi, who has pledged his international future to Nigeria.

Iwobi impressed again in his second FA Cup start on Saturday, with the 19-year-old involved in the build-up to both Arsenal goals as the Gunners beat Burnley 2-1 at Emirates with England coach Roy Hodgson looking on. With the likes of Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers also starting for Arsenal, Wenger joked after the game that Hodgson didn't need to bother watching Iwobi. "Alex Iwobi is one you (England) can miss because he plays for Nigeria now," the Arsenal manager said. "He should play for England."

Iwobi is the nephew of former Nigeria star Jay-Jay Okocha but grew up in England and joined Arsenal's academy as an eight-year-old. He represented England at youth levels up to the under-18 team, before being called up to Nigeria's senior squad. Wenger said that happened after Arsenal didn't let him join up with England's under-23 team.

"I remember I turned him down to go to an U23 friendly tournament and then Nigeria called him up for the first team to force him to go," Wenger said. "Because you cannot turn down the first team. It's a massive football country, 180 million people, a big history. Okocha is a top legend there and so is [former Arsenal striker Nwankwo] Kanu."