Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has expressed his desire to see manager Arsene Wenger pick Alex Iwobi ahead of Mesut Ozil for the number ten role more often.
Wenger’sWenger’s men were without their regular playmaker for the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day, but Iwobi who has impressed since breaking into Arsenal’s first team squad last season fared well in the German’s place after moving into a more central role for the first time this season.
The Nigeria international has impressed since breaking into Arsenal’s first team squad last season, and has continued his rapid development this season, scoring twice and adding three assists in 15 Premier League appearances. Iwobi’s performance against the Eagles earned him a second shot at that role on Tuesday night against Bournemouth after being drafted into the central role following Francis Coquelin’s injury.
Iwobi who has mostly played out wide for Arsenal in his short career so far appears to have impressed the club’s legend Henry who now believes he has shown the qualities to be better than Ozil who has come in for criticism in recent weeks for his lacklustre showings against Everton and Manchester City in that position behind the main striker.
“Iwobi is better off in the middle for Arsenal when they come up against teams who are defensively minded like we saw against Crystal Palace.
“Wenger must have seen it, and hopefully he will be picked ahead of Ozil in such games.
“He moves the ball quicker and faster leaving opposition defenders in their wake. He belongs to the middle.” Henry said, as quoted by Metro
Against Crystal Palace, the youngster didn’t disappoint as he scored his side’s second after Olivier Giroud had put the north London side ahead with his exquisite scorpion kick and he was at his best again on Tuesday, causing the Cherries a lot of trouble with his quick passes in the final third until he was taken off by Wenger with 27 minutes left on the clock.
The Arsenal youth product has made 29 league appearances since breaking into the Arsenal first team squad, scoring four Premier League goals.Iwobi is better off in the middle for Arsenal when they come up against teams who are defensively minded like we saw against Crystal Palace.
