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Alex Iwobi’s Arsenal Call Up Is On Its Way
On Tuesday, the Gunners senior team made it a clean sweep against Bayern Munich as they defeated the German juggernauts 2-0 at the Emirates. The win keeps their Champion’s League aspirations alive. However, unlike their senior counterparts, the Arsenal youth squad have had not even the slightest of hiccups in Europe. The young Gunners also defeated their German rivals on Tuesday thanks in large part to a scorching second half brace by Nigerian starlet Alex Iwobi.
Iwobi, who recently signed a new long term deal with the club, showed his dynamism against Bayern with a positively unstoppable lightning bolt strike in the 73rd minute to break the deadlock. Five minutes later the promising and powerful young forward tucked away his second goal of the day with a controlled finish at the far post. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen something special from Iwobi who scored his first goal for the club in pre-season versus Lyon during the Emirates Cup.
Iwobi is the nephew of Premiere League legend Jay-Jay Okocha. It is clear that the lad has all of the physical attributes needed to make an impact in the Premiere League. Of course it would be ideal if Alex could get some more experience under his belt before joining the senior squad. But the decision not to send him out on loan may have been a brilliant one on the part of Arsene Wenger.
On Tuesday against Bayern Munich, Alexis Sanchez looked like he was running on empty. The Chilean was working hard and doing his best to make something happen out of nothing. Yet time and again he gave the ball away in positions that were very dangerous for the Gunners. In all honesty, Arsenal were extremely fortunate that none of Alexis’ turnovers turned into points for Bayern. This isn’t really the Chilean’s fault however. When Alexis takes to the pitch, you’re going to get a certain type of player. You will get an all action fireball of energy who will look to run at defenders and use his pace and skill to put them on their heels.
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After playing extensive minutes against Manchester United, Alexis went back to Chile over the international break with a slight groin injury. Now most people would think “Oh well better not make it worse, it is after all my groin” right? Well, Alexis Sanchez isn’t most people and he went on to score a goal against Brazil and added brace against Peru. Alexis returned from South America and was in the starting lineup against Watford, where he scored again (just absurd). It is no wonder why Arsenal’s star man did not look close to his best on Tuesday night. When you take into account his summertime heroics during the Copa America its a wonder Alexis can even remain standing upright for prolonged periods of time.
Arsenal need to rest Alexis Sanchez before he actually spontaneously combusts. A win over Everton at the weekend is extremely important, but the the health of Alexis Sanchez and his groin is far more significant. If Arsenal are to sustain a title challenge this season, Alexis will need to be deployed with discretion at times.
Arsenal’s injury concerns, which to be fair have not been as terrible as seasons past, were exacerbated by the sight of Aaron Ramsey limping off the pitch against Bayern Munich. Another frustrating hamstring injury has caught up to the Welshman who was seemingly just about to kick his season into gear. With Ramsey picking up a knock and Alexis needing another 90 minutes of football like I need another Drake song (please stop), Arsenal will have to look for other options.
Enter Alex Iwobi.
The usual suspects for this task would include the likes of Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck. Unfortunately none of these three candidates have played a minute for the Gunners this season and probably won’t until the new year. Right now Arsenal have all the momentum. A stylish victory over Manchester United, along with a gutsy win at Watford and tactical masterclass against Bayern Munich, means Arsenal are certainly playing their best football right now.
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If Ramsey can’t go against Everton this weekend, that means the Ox will slot in on the right wing. I have a sinking suspicion that Alexis will start on the left wing opposite him. But who knows maybe, Alexis Sanchez really is just a miniature cyborg who was created in a lab somewhere in Chile. Maybe this obscene amount of physical exertion really doesn’t bother him.
I doubt that.
In my opinion we should play it safe and start Alexis on the bench. Then we give Alex Iwobi a chance to make a name for himself. Everton is no joke. They are certainly improved from last year. But they will probably look to play toe-to-toe with Arsenal. That should leave some space for Iwobi to operate in.
Of course the boss could elect to play Theo Walcott on the left wing and put Giroud up front. That is probably closer to the definition of “playing it safe”. But with a midweek game against Sheffield Wednesday next Tuesday (ridiculous), Iwobi should at least be on the bench over the weekend ready to lend the Gunners a youthful spark.
Next: Arsenal's Top 10 Prospects