Arsene Wenger has had his say on where the future of Alex Iwobi lies, and it does not think it is on the wing.
Iwobi may be playing on the left wing now, but when he first featured in the first team at Arsenal is was in a more central role. He was seen as the natural back up to Mesut Ozil in the number 10 role and that seems to be where Wenger believes he should be playing long term.
“He is not a typical winger and I think he can play in the No10 role,” Wenger said.
“He turns the game forward, he passes the ball through the lines very well, he has a final ball in him. I think he has all in the locker to pass and give the final ball.
Iwobi of course lacks the natural pace and acceleration of a winger and his instinct is to come inside, so I can see Arsene’s point. But Ozil is the first choice number 10, so unless he leaves, Iwobi is unlikely to be number one in that role for some time.
What’s good is Iwobi can play in that wide playmaker role. Arsene plays with two wide players, but he seems to always want a winger that can come inside and influence creatively. I think he needs to develop that creativity to become more consistent if he is to become a reliable number 10, but he’s got all the tools to do that as he matures.
Wenger continued: “What you want from him now is the finishing – that’s still a little part that is missing in his game.
“He is too nervous at the moment when he has the possibility to finish.”
Will Iwobi or Chamberlain start on the left against Sunderland on Saturday? Arsenal are strong favourites for the game, but check out Tips Daddy to see the best advice on value bets. Where do you think Iwobi plays best?