Arsenal: Alex Iwobi the player we don’t need, but have

Alex Iwobi’s recent Arsenal appearances have been sub par and should he be dropped i think so. But who would replace him? Danny Welbeck or Olivier Giroud.

Alex Iwobi just made his 50th appearance for the Arsenal senior side and it was one to forget. Suiting up against Liverpool, he was always out of position and was never able to defend.

I like watching his creative flicks and tricks but I’d rather see him play simple and proper. I want to see him drop back and cover for the likes of Jack Wilshere and Granit Xhaka when they go bombing forward. I do not understand how he’s an out and out winger and he’s only ever known how to attack. Yet some of the best wingers in the world know how to defend.

During his game against Liverpool, he almost never marked his man and was so passive against the likes of Mane and Coutinho. He needs more steel added to his game. He needs to track back and get stuck in with a nice tackle.

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I hate to see young players being dropped, but he needs sitting for Olivier Giroud when he gets fit. Having the French connection up front would make things easier. We’d have more of a “plan B”.

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We’ve always had the problem of not having any back up plan, where as if you started both, we could throw balls into the box and make plays. Alexandre Lacazette could play off the big man. That would open up space for the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to run in to make plays.

The only memorable appearance of Iwobi’s I can recall is his game against Everton at Goodison Park last season. He scored a very classy goal there. Since then, that Alex Iwobi has been missing for quite some time. He always seems to be near the ball, and then when he gets it he just rifles it to wherever he thinks he sees a teammate.

Danny Welbeck could also get the shout to replace Alex Iwobi, but I don’t think his technical ability is all there. His physicality is very good; he’s strong, fast and good in the air. He runs more like a gazelle then a proper man. But his touch has never been there when you compare it to the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Olivier Giroud.

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Will we see him dropped, only time will tell. Add in the fact that he’s young and Arsene Wenger likes to give his youngsters game time. Then when they start to slow down and not play up to par he’ll yank them, but sometimes it a little too late.