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Arsenal: Alex Iwobi shows sparkling potential once again
Alex Iwobi scored a wonderful goal in Arsenal’s 1-1 pre-season draw with Bayern Munich. His overall performance was a blossoming one, showing his sparkling potential once again.
Arsenal continued their pre-season duties on Wednesday by facing Bayern Munich in China. While the summer fixtures are far more about the performance, individual successes and failures, and the development of players’ fitness and match sharpness, there are still lessons to be learned and impressions to be made.
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For much of the game, it was Bayern who dominated. The Germans were extremely comfortable in possession, fluent in their passing, keeping the ball with great comfort and calmness. However, for all of the control that they enjoyed, they only held a one-goal lead entering the final few minutes.
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It was at this point that Alex Iwobi ignited a game that was petering out with the usual pre-season lethargy after a raft of substitutions. Picking up the ball on the edge of the area, rather than clear in a panic, he brought it under his control, shimmied past a Bayern midfielder, burst into the gaping space behind him with great pace, before waiting and waiting, ensuring that he made the right decision.
The right decision was made when he released Aaron Ramsey down the left flank with a beautifully timed pass. Rather than sit up, though, happy with his work, he surged into the penalty area, offering an option to the Welshman. Ramsey found him with a lovely, clipped cross, and Iwobi planted the header into the bottom corner with great assurance.
It was a wonderful piece of play from Iwobi, one that highlighted his blossoming confidence. After struggling to further his development during the second half of last season, it was important for Iwobi to re-establish his talent.
He has looked sharp throughout the summer games so far, setting up Alexandre Lacazette for his debut goal against Sydney FC last week after scampering down the left wing. And against Bayern, it was more than just his goal that was impressive.
He looked extremely sharp in all aspects of his game, hounding and harassing when out of possession, and driving with intent and directness when in it. He skipped past Bayern defenders with ease consistently, with a lovely blend of balance and pace, able to shimmy angles for himself, before bursting into the gap.
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Given the loss of form last season, it is easy to forget the talent that Iwobi boasts. But so far this summer, he has been one of Arsenal’s more impressive players, culminating in a sparkling cameo against Bayern. Iwobi still has wonderful potential, he just needs time and patience to unlock it.