Arsenal: Alex Iwobi Must Prove To Be Trend, Not Fluke

Arsenal’s academy has had trouble pushing out Premier League quality players lately, so Alex Iwobi needs to prove that he is a trend, not a fluke.

Arsenal are one of those teams out there that are renowned for the youth products they can churn out on a regular basis. Right up there with Barcelona and Manchester United, the Gunner’s have turned up some gems. Cesc Fabregas is obviously a front runner, despite the negative feelings he conjures up now, but even guys like Francis Coquelin can bring pride to the system.

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That being said, through the debt years, there was not a whole lot happening. Prospects were falling by the wayside or being sold (and not amounting to much). It really put their academy in a harsh light that is only now looking to improve.

As it stands, Alex Iwobi is that beacon of light – the pioneer of the next wave of talent from the youth ranks. The only thing is, Arsenal has to prove that Iwobi is the start of a trend and not just a fluke of a star. And that all starts with solidifying him as a star.

Thierry Henry and Sir Alex Ferguson have both sang the praises of the young man, and if there are indeed a such thing as ‘authorities’ in the game of football, than these two men are just that – authorities. They know the game.

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Now that that bit is taken care of, the pressure is severely lifted off of Iwobi. When so many experts are vouching for you and guys like Mesut Ozil are working with you, there is very little chance that the potential that you have will go unfulfilled.

Now it’s up to the rest of the academy to make this a trend, not a fluke. Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Donyell Malen all look to have the makings of true world beaters, with Chuba Akpom also showing upside, so long as he can stay healthy.

These guys are tasked with rejuvenating an academy that has been a bit down on its luck. Jack Wilshere was the poster child of the Arsenal youth system, but, being on loan at Bournemouth, it’s not like there is much he can do to properly represent it at this juncture.

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The more the system produces, the less we will have to rely on Wenger’s whims in the transfer market, and that is the true gift here.