Alex Iwobi has been in fine form lately for Arsenal lately, which is a real positive.
Unai Emery has by no means been a revelation at Arsenal, but things are looking in the right direction. The Gunners are on a seven game win streak in all competitions, which never seemed likely after losing their two opening games. The perfect record will only continue if more players like Alex Iwobi are unearthed.
His most recent match against Watford saw him come on and make a real impression. Although the statistics won’t show you this, Iwobi was key to both goals. Craig Cathcart was forced into putting the ball in his own net, courtesy of a low-drill cross from the Nigerian. He also got the pre-assist for Mesut Ozil’s safety goal.
It’s a big season for Iwobi.
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Arsenal will be looking for a winger in the transfer market. While Iwobi isn’t an out-an-out winger by any stretch of the imagination, he can do a job out there. There’s a reason why he is out-performing Alexis Sanchez both statistic and team-wise.
The world knows that Sanchez was a draining figure at Arsenal. He was clearly running down his contract, and the players around him felt the detrimental impacts. But now that he’s gone, a lot of players are coming out of the woodwork.
Iwobi partners Ozil in being the men of the moment, and it’s not a coincidence. Emery has been hard at work in training, and the performances on the field have shown. Iwobi is a lot more direct, whereas Ozil has added a clinical goal scoring side to his game.
Arsene Wenger just left Iwobi to his own devices during his lengthy tenure. He thought this was the best way to manage the Nigerian, but clearly he was wrong. All it took was somebody with no sentimental value to come into the club and remind him what he needs to do to progress.
Don’t be surprised if it’s a real breakthrough season for Iwobi. It’s been a long time coming, but as the saying goes, it’s better late than never. Iwobi is 22 years old, so he has plenty of time to grow and adapt under his new head coach.
I wish him the best of the luck. I’m a big fan of Iwobi, and it was a shame to see Wenger running down his potential. But I expect to see him coming from the bench more often this season, and he may even win his way into the first team via the Europa League.
Do you think it’s Iwobi’s year?