Arsenal: Alex Iwobi keeps showing exactly where Henrikh Mkhitaryan fits

Arsenal saw out the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, but in the process, Alex Iwobi was kind enough to remind us yet again where Henrikh Mkhitaryan fits.

Arsenal beat Chelsea, and that’s what matters. After surrendering the opening goal in just the seventh minute because the defense yet again came out incredibly flat, the Gunners were quick to respond. Their defense shored up and their midfield regained a decent amount of control and they managed to seize some fortuitous situations.

But overall, there were clear lapses in their attack. Jack Wilshere and Granit Xhaka were effective and pushing the ball into dangerous positions and Mesut Ozil was at his usual best, feeding team mates with fantastic chances, but there was one position in particular that did not do its part.

And that position was manned by Alex Iwobi.

Now listen, Iwobi didn’t have his worst performance. Far from it. But the old adage that you are only as strong as your weakest link holds true. Iwobi was notable to fulfill his end of the creative duties and in return, everything fell on Ozil.

Which just gives further proof of why Henrikh Mkhitaryan is here in the first place.

Maybe it’s just the nerves of youth, but when Iwobi gets into dangerous positions, he pisses his pants and forgets his name. His final ball is literally atrocious and it puts a serious pause on any legitimate attack that isn’t flowing through someone else.

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Which is exactly why Mkhitaryan is here. He is the opposite number of Ozil, the maestro on the other side. He literally opens up an entirely separate side of the pitch for the Gunners. Whereas lately, going through Ozil ensures at least a semi-potent attack and going through Iwobi offers very little chance of a legitimately threatening move, adding in Mkhitaryan makes both sides ofthe attack nearly equally viable.

While Ozil and Mkhitaryan aren’t identical, they both have enough experience, creativity and, most importantly, confidence, to be able to make things happen. Which, as sad as this sounds, is all I’m looking for right now. Someone who can unlock the door more often then Iwobi. Which Mkhitaryan has proven he can do on so many levels.

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It’s still unclear where Iwobi fits in the grand scheme. His inconsistency and paltry form this year has cast a lot of doubt over what his best position is. Mkhitaryan is now here to take over that spot (we assume) and it’ll be interesting to see how the young Nigerian responds.

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