Arsenal: Alex Iwobi Being Dragged Through The Mud By Wenger

Arsenal were thoroughly stomped by Bayern Munich and Alex Iwobi was no help yet again. At what point does the faith in him become a bad thing?

Arsene Wenger has shown an insane amount of faith in young Alex Iwobi and that is usually a good things to see. The Nigerian is incredibly talented and Arsenal have a lot to look forward to with him.

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But that faith can backfire. And it is in the process of doing that right now as Wenger slowly turns Iwobi into another Walcott.

Iwobi is being taught some disturbing things right now. He’s being taught that no matter what he does, he will be sent back out there. He is being taught that unless he completely screws the pooch (which I feel like he already has) then he is not going to be dropped.

Which also, in turn, teaches him that his underperforming is acceptable and part of the process.

Well, it is part of the process, but that doesn’t mean that Arsenal, a top-tier team who need their best squad at all junctures, should have to sit through his underperforming. Wenger is dragging Iwobi through the mud by letting him continue to go out there and beat his head against the wall.

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It reminds me of Giroud, too. Giroud took so much blame for his bad performances, but Wenger kept sending him out there, rain, snow, sleet or shine, because he had no other options. How much of that is Giroud’s fault, who has off days like every other player, and how much of it is Wenger’s fault?

The difference with Iwobi is that there are options and that’s what drives me crazy. Why would you continue running this young guy out there when he isn’t performing well? Sure, he may make a breakthrough, but while he’s not making that breakthrough, the team is suffering.

When I saw Iwobi on the team sheet against Bayern I almost lost my mind. You are going to stick this struggling 20 year old up against Arjen Robben and Philipp Lahm? That is doing the kid no favor at all. In fact, it will probably do his confidence more harm than good.

Why not send out Welbeck, who is experienced, has the world to prove, and has a ton of confidence, not to mention his gobs of raw ability? What happened is exactly what we expected to happen. He was anonymous and made zero impact on the game whatsoever.

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It makes no sense to me and I can only hope that, after yet another performance where he was nowhere to be found, that he can see his way to the bench where he can begin the recuperation process. Give the kid that much. Give him a chance.