In this conversation with JOHNNY EDWARD, veteran actor Ejike Asiegbu discusses his affection for Arsenal and his desire to see the Gunners finally win their first trophy since 2004.

Were you involved in sports growing up?

Yes, I played football in school and captained both my primary and secondary teams. It was a significant aspect of my childhood.

As a senior actor, do you still participate in sports in your spare time?
Although I no longer play football at my age, I make it a priority to be active by going for walks and swimming.

Were your parents supportive of your engagement in sports, especially football?

They were not because they wanted my siblings and I to be focused on academics. So, I eventually stopped playing at a young age to pursue education.

How did you get into acting?

My acting career began with theatre organizations while attending the University of Port Harcourt and then at the Institute of Management Technology in Enugu. That was the platform that helped advance my acting career.

Would you support your children if they chose football?

Absolutely. My twins are passionate about football, and I will encourage them to pursue their passions in addition to their studies.

What football team do you support?

I support Aba's Enyimba, the Enugu Rangers, and the Super Eagles.

In the Premier League, I support Arsenal. And I hope they win the crown this season. They've been incredibly excellent, and I hope they beat Manchester City to the trophy after 20 years since we last won the league.

How certain are you that Arsenal will win the EPL title?

Very confident. Arsenal now leads the EPL table by one point, although Manchester City has a game in hand. If they win their final three games, they will be champions, but who says City can't lose points in those games? I am confident Arsenal will win the title. They deserve to be champs. They are the best team in England based on how they have performed this season. They are the best attacking team, and they also dominate defensively. Didn't you watch how they beat Chelsea?

Who is your favourite player in the club?

The entire team has impressed, with standout players like Bukayo Saka, Kai Harvertz, Martin Odegaard, and Declan Rice, who brings a lot of energy and skill to the team. They have been the driving force of the team.

The Nigerian Football Federation recently hired Finidi George as the new Super Eagles coach; what are your thoughts on his appointment?

Appointing an indigenous coach to head the team is the appropriate move. I hope he brings success and stability to the squad.

His first games in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers are next month against South Africa and Benin Republic. How do you think he should approach these games?

Winning those games will determine whether we will play in the next World Cup. He needs hungry players to make the team great again. Players with a huge heart, talent, and competence will benefit the squad.

Who is your favorite Nigerian footballer?

Currently, Victor Osimhen has been the team's brightest star, and I hope he continues to shine. There's also Victor Boniface and Alex Iwobi, two excellent players. I also adore Ademola Lookman. He was terrific at the previous AFCON tournament and is doing exceptionally well with Atalanta.