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Arsenal vs Manchester City: Hypothetically, wingback suits Alex Iwobi
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal are reportedly going into Manchester City without Sead Kolasinac which may land Alex Iwobi at wing back. Hypothetically speaking, that should work.
It wasn’t all that long ago that I stated my belief that the only player that Arsenal could not readily replace in light of an injury is Sead Kolasinac. The Bosnian’s strength and power make him one of a kind, as he manages to be just as effective getting forward as he is tracking back.
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He is calm under pressure, having now provided three crucial goals for the club, as well as three similarly crucial assists. He is a big-game player if ever there was one and against Manchester City, we will need as many of those as we can get.
Unfortunately, it’s being reported that Kolasinac will not be fit to face City. After sustaining an injury against Swansea (after winning the game for us), there was general concern over whether he would be fit or not and sure enough, the worst has come true.
Which leaves the Gunners in a conundrum. Because the main reason why I don’t believe Kolasinac to be replaceable is because we don’t have anyone to replace him with.
In steps the chatter that Alex Iwobi is destined the play left back against City. On the surface, this sounds absolutely ludicrous. Iwobi has proven that he is an inadequate defender and Arsene Wenger has apparently even told Iwobi that defensive solidity is what’s keeping him out of the starting XI.
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It’s absolutely batty to slot him into left wingback against City. There is no sense in that. This isn’t some sort of playground scrimmage where we’re trying to teach Iwobi via a baptism by fire. This is a match with the balance of the Premier League at stake.
That said, Iwobi as a potential wingback going forward makes sense – on paper. You think about what Kolasinac has that makes him so good at the job. He has strength, solidity, speed in open spaces and a subtly creative tick.
Iwobi has all of that. The one thing that Iwobi lacks is that blood-thirsty, no-fear mentality that puts Kolasinac over the top. Iwobi is a passive player, much like Mesut Ozil. And that’s what makes the prospect of slotting him at wingback terrifying. The tenacity levels between Kolasinac and Iwobi are like night and day.
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If, going forward, we experiment with Iwobi at wingback and can teach him a fierce streak, then hallelujah, let’s do it. But against City? Take a hike.