Arsene Wenger says it’s hard to believe that Alex Iwobi is just 20, after the Nigerian continues to develop and grow into this role in the Arsenal first team.
It’s less than 12 months since the manager signalled his faith in the exciting attacking midfielder by selecting him away at Barcelona in the Champions League, and while he has had fluctuations in form like any young player, he has been overwhelmingly positive for the most part.
Speaking about him ahead of today’s Premier League encounter with Swansea, Wenger touched on the games where he didn’t quite find his best form, but insists there’s plenty more in the tank.
“The trick about him is that you forget how old he is when you seem him play”, he said.
“You never imagine that he’s 20 years old. I believe as well, looking back where he was one-and-a-half years ago and where he is today, what is very interesting with Alex Iwobi is that he is consistently moving upwards.
“He can provide, he can get into positions between the lines, he turns very quickly and can drive the game forward.
“He has very fast decision-making and you always feel that he can accelerate the process whenever he gets the ball. That is a very interesting quality. He has a huge availability. He passes and moves and always wants the ball.
“He had a little dip this year that was more physical, but his passion for the game, his love for football gives me a very strong basis to continue to develop him. I think we’ll see much more from him.”
He’s unquestionably one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the academy for years, and with it he seems like a well-rounded, humble young man, ready and willing to learn.
It’s going to be fun watching him grow over the coming years.
Think he will end up in the middle. This may be controversial, but I see him as being potentially better than Wilshere and the true successor for Cazorla when he retires. If he fills out a bit (a big if) and improves his defensive game, he could be like a smaller Diaby like player with a much better passing range.
I think he’ll play on the wing for most of his career and move into the 10 once Ozil leaves. That is assuming Arsenal can keep hold of them both.
That said and while I like Iwobi, it’s not about individuals. If Snake-Van-Persie, traitor Cesc and Jack Wilshere (I only bracket him with the other two because of his quality) are dispensable, then anybody is.
We just need to start winning titles and getting past the last 16. If we do that, the team will be remembered and ALL its individuals, including the ones that contribute marginally but significantly.
Not controversial at all. Still has a lot of room for improvement (the Preston match was tough for him) but during the Crystal Palace game I noticed shades of Rosicky about him in a more central role. Add that to the fact he was a striker at youth level and we’ve already seen his potential as a goalscorer, and there’s a very special player there. For me the only two creative players in the past 10 years we’ve seen show his level of technical maturity at a young age are Cesc and Wilshere (and he has a much calmer temperament… Read more »
Haven’t seen his goalscoring potential, me. About him, that’s the only thing I am not sure if.
I think he is dynamic and prefers attacking, so is the next Ozil. I’d prefer bigger Vieira/Petit like midfielders.
But let’s see, who knows, you may well be right.
“So is the next Ozil” … Sigh
Totally agree and the club seems to as well, he played there a fair amount for the U21s before breaking into the first team.
nothing wrong with that …his biggest advantage is that he can play in tight places very well so eventually he will move to no10 or central midfield. he is not dynamic or quick enough to be a winger. even right now he is playing as a midfielder albiet cutting in from the flanks. i think no10 is his best position there he can utilize his finishing. he might not be a good finisher right now , but i think its just a mentality problem . when he was playing for u21 he was scoring a lot of goals.
I have actually been saying this. I think long term he’ll be in the Ozil role, but i really think he might be our best alternative to Cazorla in the squad in that deep lying role. He’ll probably end up there when he’s much older regardless.
He will never be a central midfielder , he hasn’t got the engine or stamina to play there.The way he plays isn’t suited for that role.
He is definitely a no 10 , the way he gets between the lines and see’s the final pass,just needs more goals, he would be wasted playing centre midfield.
Answer as for Diaby, he was outstanding, the all round central midfielder who could do it all, if he could have stayed injury free he would have been one of the world’s best !
Just need to impove his repertoire of goals and becoming more clinical in front of goal with good defensive assertion.
Ozil has had a career without these qualities.
Quite exited about him really.
And that bit about him accelerating our play when ever he gets play is spot on. Whenever i watches him play, i loved this aspect of his game the most.
I think Iwobi could go on to be a true Arsenal legend. He’s got it all. His playing style reminds me a lot of Rosicky’s, quick one touch passes, spins on a sixpence and is always looking to attack.
Fingers crossed he carries on in this vein for many seasons to come.
Up The Arse!
He’s a bit like diaby but with two legs….
I would say that he’ll be more like Bobby Pires on the left. Simple and efficient.
If he learns how to bend that shot from the edge of the 18 yard box from the left then totally!!!
If he is half as good as his famous uncle Jay Jay Okocha then we have crack, a serious gem. Had the joy to watch Okocha in the Bundesliga and with Psg and that great Nigerian team of the nineties, what a great player he was. If Alex follow that path, the club should lock him down with a good and long contract. He is got it all : pace, eye for a goal, can hold the ball, or play one touch football, he is technical level is very high, and he can get a foot in too! Funny is… Read more »
I think hes a good player just give him chancd
Again just goes to show how little many who comment know about football. They wanted Iwobi subbed because he was not pacy enough out wide. But he did it for us today. Sometimes, we need to mix up the capabilities a little, have a bit of guile and trickery out wide cutting in. Iwobi’s control is generally excellent. As I’ve mentioned, he is another option to Ramsey playing alongside Granit. In which case we may be able to accomodate one of Ox, Lucas (who links up well with Giroud) or Welbeck. That said, thought Ramsey was fairly decent today. Whether… Read more »
I think what Wenger says that Iwobi can find the space between the lines is key. Plenty of people seem obsessed having us cross into the box as if Giroud can only head balls in. I think the width for the team is provided by our fullbacks who get forward a lot with Granit holding close to Cbacks when we lay seige. That means Kosicleny watches the left and Mustafi the right in case of a counter. We therefore need players who can cut in diagonally from the flanks. Alexis does this a lot from left. I think Wenger feels… Read more »
He has plenty in the tank. Others have plenty in the lockers. I think it is time to buy additional storage room.
Stop hype!! Let the young man enjoy his Football. He’s a good boy. Now, go ahead and wish him good luck.