Arsene Wenger says Alex Iwobi will be a ‘top-class’ player if he can add more goals and assists to his game.
The Nigeria international was trusted with the Mesut Ozil role for last weekend’s draw at Chelsea putting in a disciplined performance that involved his fair share of defending from the front. He got more minutes under his belt in the second half against Doncaster Rovers, but made less of an impact.
While Ozil is fit to return against West Bromwich Albion on Monday, Iwobi will have done his chances of further game time no harm. Indeed, the boss believes there are big things to come from the Academy graduate.
“I like the fact that he can play in tight areas, that he turns the game forwards, that he’s very mobile,” he told Arsenal.com.
“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.”
We do forget how young he is.
Another player I feel could be a bit more selfish, especially with Alexis around – players seem like they’re obliged to pass to him and let him conjure something instead.
Yes, he does seem a bit too deferential still which I guess is understandable. He does not seem like a natural finisher, but he’s got good technique so should definitely be able to add some more goals and final balls.
I think its only natural that young players do that. I think most would when starting out. Especially the way Alexis acts out on the pitch if things don’t go right. I guess Ozil might be the same way but it doesn’t seem like it. I think it would help if Alexis didn’t act out like he does and becomes more encouraging on the pitch to help his teammates. Obviously thats just an opinion, don’t know what goes on behind the scenes and at training.
Alexis makes it clear what he wants, so it’s easier for fans to see that. Ozil wants the team to succeed, and it’s clear from the way he carries himself in pr that he can help bring about that success. I would imagine ozil to only be upset when he provides platters of sitters and our forwards flub all of them.
Brexit away Alexis fault too…and pretty sure he shot JFK.
He’s 21 to be fair, hardly a baby in football terms. I like him but he needs to step up soon if there’s to be any hope of him being a great player rather than being just a good one.
Thing with Iwobi is even in the academy he didn’t score or assist many to attract attention, he was an unknown before he was picked in the first team. The reason he was picked is his ability to play wengerball, fluent, one touch linkup play and inteligence on the ball. Him and Delle Alli started in the first team about the same time. Iwobi seems to be more talented than Dele Alli in terms of playing style but the difference that makes Alli better in terms of efficiency is agression. Alli is a pricking pest while defending, he is always… Read more »
Ozil’s linguini style is nearly unadoptable.
‘Without all those goals Thierry and Wrighty wouldn’t have been rated so highly…’ in newsflash shocker… to be fair, Iwobi has so much to his game that he is enjoyable to watch anyway. Here’s to Iwobi following in his uncles footsteps!
I think aside from a more forward role, he should also be strongly considers for deep midfield.
As mentioned he is good in tight areas but he also has plenty of strength and he has an eye for a good through pass.
We need to explore all options beyond Granit and Ramsey with only internal solutions to bank on at present
I don’t think defensively he is right for that role. Against Chelsea he was good defensively but usually he doesn’t try that much. I’m afraid of a even darker black hole in the deep mid if he plays there lol
I saw what you did there ?
Too young still–we need vision and experience for that leadership–in the interim I see iwobi as an excellent catalyst between a playmaker and a no. 10/11. He’s an excellent dummy at the moment, and passing to him is relatively secure. Bridges play exceedingly well
He is a top talent, seems to have the right attitude. For me he is more like a David Silva than a Mesut Ozil and has all the right ingredients to be better than David Silva. Doesn’t seem to own his part of the pitch though, frequently passing to Ramsey or Alexis from strong positions.
Come on boy be a little selfish, time to shine!
He is also oddly strong, when i saw him shrug people off in preseason was honestly surprised and responds well when relied upon, hopefully he can progress into a star?
Better than David Silva? What are you smoking?
He said he’s like Silva, not better than.
Some people.
He said he could be better, it was too much
Thumbs down for the smoking quip though
Also said he can become better then Silva. I don’t quite see it yet but who knows. He definitely has good technique and potential.
Thought the same. Silva is probably favorite no10 to watch globally
Iwobi is one of 6 or 7 academy graduates in first team
Jack, Coquelin, Bellerin, Nelson, Lacey, Maitland Niles…That’s about 20%+ of the entire team.
No essay today?
something something “I hate Elneny” something something.
lol
That’s not internet speak, Blogs. That’s my illustration of a goal being scored.
Is this Wenger telling us he won’t buy a replacement when Ozil leaves next season?
Is that what the tea leaves say?
This is Wenger telling us Iwobi IS the future Özil role, whether Özil extends or not.
It had to be a little obvious from the type of player Iwobi is and how he closest resembles Özil in his style of play as a playmaker who can handle tight spaces. He was never truly a winger let alone a striker, but was always an attacker.
I don’t know. Ozil is so unique being a elite player that seems so unselfish in the final third. He would rather make a pass then take a shot even if he has a clear shot on goal lol I think Iwobi doesn’t have the vision but I don’t think you can replicate who Ozil is. Obviously Iwobi will be his own player but I wonder what he’s going to look like in 2-3 years.
Why must everything he says be turned into a rant against him.
He reminds me of Rosicky at times. The speed at which he turns and faces the opposition, his odd dribbling style and desire to play for the team rather than himself.
I really like Iwobi. So different from the usual talent to break through.
Iwobi isn’t ready
Thanks, I’ll ring Wenger and let him know.
Iwobi has “potential”. But so did Theo, Jack, Jenks, Diaby, and Ox. And where are they? The 1st team isn’t where one learns to ply his trade. And Wenger does that too often in an attempt to save $.
Playing too many Iwobis has lead our long slow march to the Europa League. But you keep thinking Iwobi is the answer. Bottom line: Iwobi ISN’T READY!
#WengeroutNOW #AKBOUT
Fantastic talent but Wenger is right, you’ve got to have that end product. Look at player like Walcott who doesn’t have half the technical ability but at the end of the day, he gets the goals and assists and in big games. To be an effective forward player you’ve got to have that end product
So basically a Theo Iwobistein would be ideal
Technique, end product, and Jewish. Perfect
Hopefully his won’t end like Alex’s Arsenal career that was full of skills, promises and potentials, but without the end product. To me, that was the only negative in his overall ability as am Arsenal player. Iwobi really need to work against that.
A mix of Walcott and Iwobi would be a good signing
Walcott? He should have been gone long before this past summer window. I would keep Iwobi in a heartbeat over Walcott. Arsenal needs players who put the club first before themselves. I do not have much confidence in Sanchez or Ozil. The Chelsea game proved that the team can play good ball without Sanchez or Ozil. Wenger needs to stick with his starting 11 so they can gel as a unit and quit switching around. He needs to quit being so naive about certain players. Go with the ones who actually want to play for the team. Quit believing that… Read more »
I have to be honest, I was livid with him against cologne, and couldn’t understand him playing deeper in a proper cm role. But I do think he’s one of the most unique talents in the pl, and certainly in the top 3 or 5 for players of his age. Just hope he’s managed right through the next couple of years.
The same was once said of Ozil…expectations are sometimes hard to accomplish….hope he rises to the occasion.
COYGs.
Iwobi is so tight on the ball (91% pass completion last game I think), could he not play in the Ramsey role beside Xhaka?
I don’t think Iwobi can replace Ozil. Ozil’s play is all about off the ball movement to create space and the killer through, Iwobi is more of a link up guy like Santi and Laca. Alexis has always been the odd man out in this team and i get why Wenger wants Lemar as a replacement for Alexis. Our game is based on movement and i think Lemar would be an excellent addition but, simply playing good football with these type of players isn’t going to intimidate the opposition. We need a new Diaby or Yaya Toure. I love Ramsey… Read more »
Hope he uses this season well, because when our stars leave next season it could be iwobi’s time to shine
His socks are too short.
That’s a throwback look. Call it what you want
He’s more like Rosicky than Ozil; when he’s the ball the team play accelerates. He can dribble and he has a good eye for a telling pass. I think he will end up as the team’s playmaker – a David Silveresque player.
Ironically alot of Hleb in him too not just the socks…
tell that to ozil