Iwobi gets plenty of plaudits!
On Iwobi’s first Premier League start since returning from injury, he showed Arsenal fans exactly why Arsene Wenger decided to put the 20 year old straight back into the team. After a goal that was later credited to Alexis Sanchez and thus two assists later, Alex Iwobi had a fantastic game for Arsenal this weekend and as a result has earned the plaudits from many.
One man who was keen to show the Nigerian youngster some praise after the game was manager Arsene Wenger. We have seen Iwobi thrive from his opportunities in the first team under Wenger, after Le Prof decided to gamble on the winger last season. Iwobi is now arguably one of our brightest young talents at the club.
Arsene Wenger revealed why he has such confidence in the youngster by saying: “I started him last year because I’ve seen that there’s something in him that is quality of vision, quality of give and go, of movement. He can break the lines with a pass and individually as well, so there’s a lot in the locker. Overall, he’s only 20 years old so you could see that he has gained in confidence now. He can take people on much more and he has gained power as well. It’s interesting what he has done.”
Iwobi has dramatically impressed since being brought into the first team as a regular and although he had a relatively quiet end to the season last year, it seems as if he is keen and ready to start this season in the same fashion that he started his Arsenal campaign last year. There may be plenty of competition for places on the wings at Arsenal with Alexis, Walcott and the Ox also all fit, but for me Iwobi gets the nod over the English pair at the moment. Unlike the Ox and Walcott, Iwobi has no fear of running at the defence and he has confidence when the ball is at his feet. Arsenal needs a winger that drives forward with the team, to create opportunities for others and as seen in the Hull City match alone, that is exactly what Iwobi does.
Is he now ready to remain in the starting XI on a regular basis?
By AH