Will Alex Iwobi be a ‘top-class player’ for Arsenal?

Arsene Wenger has heaped praise on Alex Iwobi, but claimed he must add goals and assists to his impressive displays.

The Nigerian international has earned his place in the first-team squad in recent seasons, but despite impressing going forward, seems to struggle to find that key pass which leads to a goal or that final movement which frees himself to score.

Iwobi has become a favourite of the fans in his short time with the senior squad, and rarely comes under scrutiny, and there is certainly more to come from him.

Wenger has now explained his view on the 21 year-old, saying: “I like the fact that he can play in tight areas, that he turns the game forwards, that he’s very mobile.

“We forget sometimes that Alex is still a very young player and that there’s a lot more to come from him.

“There must be a lot more to come from him because he has more personality in the game now.

“We expect him to be more efficient in the final third offensively, because you feel there are goals in there and assists too.

“They have to come out. Add that to the fact that he allows the team to play very well and he will be a top-class player.”

Does Iwobi deserve his place in the first-team squad? Is he best fielded in a central or wide role? Will he be able to hold off Reiss Nelson in the battle for regular action?

Pat J

Tags Arsenal Iwobi Wenger

14 Comments

  1. I worry for Iwobi cos right now, he is nowhere near the form he displayed in his break out season….

    I believe he will be good no.10 or CM, he isn’t a winger IMO, and the fact that Wenger is saying this for the second time (the first during pre-season) shows that he is also concerned…

    But am surprised Wenger still thinks age favours him, yes he has age on his side but what about other players of his age: Dele Alli, Mbappe, Martial, Rashford,to name a few….

    I advise Iwobi to buckle up quickly and be a MAN…

  2. Yeah i like iwobi a lot but he has to join with the goals & end product but i think he’s a great player
    and the ones who were saying that nelson is the better of the two.. well thats a joke, you guys only say that because we know iwobi already pretty well, as soon as something can’t surprise anymore a human has less interest in it than a shiny new toy one doesn’t really know.. but surely iwobi is already a gread squad player whereas nelson is a really talented dude ^^

  3. Iwobi does have talent no doubt but I think he could go faster as he is not developing fast enough for me and I agree with you that guys his age in other club s are ahead of him.

    1. I was at the Doncaster game and the only ‘first team squad’ player who looked good was Iwobi….

      Walcott scored but should have had 3 or 4 ..
      Giroud.. very ordinary though you could argue he has not played much we were olayong Doncaster!!
      Sanchez… great ball for Walcotts goal but rest of he time running up blind alleys and again against weak opposition he should have shone
      Reiss Nelson should not be playong RWB.. completely wasted his talent… he should have played LW once Walcott went off..
      Wilshere looked good… needs more game time but could be an ideal foil for Xhaka against weaker teams and let Ramsey play the no 10 role.

  4. I just feel he is to be more picky with his runs n dribbles.. a lot of energy every time won’t do u any good.. be intelligent calm down and pick ur moments.. be more calm in front of goal. Know where u gonna shoot in advance. I like him coz his ball control is good. He’s strong and brave.. looking forward to some good performances from him this season

  5. No, he is not shaped like a natural footballer. The running / walking style is off. The feet are wrongly angled. He will never be a world class player.

  6. Not for me .. Too little positional sense or real determination and his mobility is limited whatever the ostrich thinks ….watch hazard at his age and you see the difference …. Then again gnabry looked more promising then disappointed and was sidelined by wenger but looks now to be a much better player so who knows …

  7. Remind me to someone call ox
    Wenger say he see the ox will be fantastic playing in the middle,
    and y know, that man playing at rwb and sold..

  8. I hope so…he got talent maybe not as much as the top top players in his age bracket. but if he works harder then anything is possible

  9. Alex Iwobi is a late bloomer in the same way Ray Parlour was. I think with more experience he can develop in to a fine left of centre midfield player.
    Ironically even though I think The Old Man is past it as a manager with final say over team tactics, formation and selection I think that he is still a very good coach of individual players and as such is the right man to keep coaching Alex to improve further.

Comments are closed

Top Blog Sponsors