Arsenal: Alex Iwobi can become the solution to his own problem

Arsenal have a pretty stacked predicted XI to face Liverpool, but Alex Iwobi stands out as a potential weak spot. He can solve this, and solve a bigger picture problem in the process.

It hasn’t been a smooth follow-up to Alex Iwobi‘s big breakout with Arsenal in the Spring of 2016. He hasn’t been able to build on what was supposed to be a Marcus Rashford-sized rise to prominence, but due to happenstance, he finds himself with a unique opportunity that doesn’t come around too often.

By my estimation, the Gunners can go toe-to-toe with Liverpool in nearly every category and position. There are gives and takes throughout the pitch, but nothing lopsided. The one position where there is a hint of weakness is Alex Iwobi.

We aren’t talking what he is capable of, because so often, what he is capable of is not reached. It’s what he is doing right now that strikes me as troublesome.

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The young Nigerian hasn’t become a “problem” per say, but there is an obvious opening for improvement, which ideally, we will look to address in the January transfer market. But until then, until Aaron Ramsey comes back, Iwobi has free reign to the position.

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The thing with Iwobi is that it always comes down to confidence. His incredibly quick feet and plus strength are always going to be there. It’s that final ball, which we have seen glimpses of when he is at his best, that has been eluding him as of late.

The thing about a match like this is that there are going to be openings. The tempo will be high, the pressure pretty intense, but in the attacking quadrants, Iwobi should be able to find more space than he has before.

A bit part of the problem with Iwobi’s recent inclusions is that he has been playing against teams that are sitting seven, eight, even nine guys behind the ball. As a burgeoning creator, finding space in that mass of bodies for passes or shots is next to impossible. Mesut Ozil seems to be enjoying himself, but even his successes have been relatively limited. Clear-cut chances are hard to come by.

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That’s why I’m so excited about the potential that Iwobi has to be an impact on this match. He won’t have to try to thread the needle. There will be passing lanes available and so long as he can keep his head, this could be an excellent opportunity to stake a confidence claim before the assumed shake-up when Aaron Ramsey returns.