Alex Iwobi has admitted that he is working hard to be fit and ready for the new season, but where is he supposed to fit in our first XI?
The Nigerian international impressed when breaking into the first-team squad in the 2015-16 season, but failed to have a similar impact last term.
Iwobi started the previous campaign as a first-team regular, but failed to build on his run in the starting XI, and failed to earn an extended stay in the team, but his battle to return to the line-up may well be hampered by our new formation.
Alex will have to battle with Sanchez and Ozil for a place in one of our attacking roles, with Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck among others also vying for game time.
Iwobi is not disheartened by the challenge ahead of him however, and is keen to fight for his place, and has even been challenged by boss Arsene Wenger to build on his game.
The 21 year-old said: “I have a point to prove. I didn’t play as much as I’d like to last year. I want to start the season with a bang. I’ve been doing a bit of running and ball work to prepare.
“I need to be a bit more hungry this year, add more goals and assists. At the start of last season I played a lot. I want to do that all year. Consistency is the key with me.
“Goals win games. I need to add that. Arsene Wenger spoke to me towards the end of last season. Show me you’re able to do that and ill give you a chance.”
He then reiterated his stance on his international decision, having snubbed England for Nigeria despite playing in the youth sides for us, adding: “Originally I’m from Nigeria. I always felt comfortable there. It was a hard decision because Id played for England but I felt more at home there. When I first went they treated me like royalty. For the U23s, like a king. It’s a big thing there.
“As I was about to play my first match (for Nigeria) Roy Hodgson was in contact with Arsenal saying they’d like me to get involved with the under-21s but my mind was made up. It’s my decision.”
Can Iwobi get back on track and force his way into Wenger’s first-team plans? Could he maybe switch to a wing-back role?
Pat J
Iwobi is gifted in both flanks and we should experiment Ox on the central role, he does bring that drive to go foward from the middle which led to Laca goal. Ozil should play a deeper role behind Ox with Xhaka/Coq next to Mesut
It might be an unpopular opinion but I hope Wenger experiment further this pre season.
How sweet your comment would have being but Ozil in a deeper role made it out of tune.. Totally
He wouldn’t fit. A square peg in a round hole
At the moment Squad player (i don’t mean that in a derogatory way)
He won’t start over Alexis, Ozil, Walcott, Lacazette and Lemar/Mbappe (if they come)
He can start in FA Cup/League Cup matches
There won’t be African Cup of Nations until 2019 so he won’t miss matches and can try to force himself up the pecking order
He is only 21. He has time to improve and push himself up
He is very good to have come off the bench.
Very talented player. I’m glad we have him
Would like to see more Iwobi this year. I really like the guy. But he is spot on that he needs to be more aggressive and add goal scoring to his game. Could make a big impact if he can do that.
Had it been he has scored many a sitter he missed last season.. ion think he will be benched.. He’s very good with both feet ofcourse
Now that I think of it, Iwobi would be perfect for Europa League if Wenger wants to rest players for Premier League Matches. Also, as I said in the “Cup” matches
So actually he has loads of opportunities to start
He needs to take the chances and run with them. Show Wenger what he has got
Iwobi gives us depth on the left and CAM
Very skilled player
How about as understudy to Ozil? He hardly loses possession in the middle of the park too so he could actually carry the ball like Santi does, in fact he’s the closest to Santi in that respect.
Check Arsenal site. iwobi has been converted to a striker…….so he can’t play in carzola’s position
To be rated by your team mates is praise to be rated by Sanchez in that team is tops. Wengers advice is sound if he could add more goals and more assits would turn him into a great player. I would say he needs to also improve defensively to compete in the future. He is a lovely young player with the best yet to come. I did like the comment of ozils understudy…..he can be that man