Arsenal: Alex Iwobi has discovered his niche

Alex Iwobi has toiled through an inconsistent and frustrating season. However, in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Burnley, he may have just discovered his niche.

It has been a strange couple of years for Alex Iwobi. He burst onto the scene a little over two years ago now in a remarkable performance against Barcelona. He then backed up that performance with a series of exciting displays in the Premier League that set him up for what was seen as an extremely bright Arsenal future. Only, he hasn’t really pressed on since that time.

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Iwobi has since grown into a rather divisive figure. Many of the fans are quite critical of his efforts, especially when it comes to his end product, and he is not given the patience of some other individuals in the squad.

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One possible reason for this is that so much was expected of his development, expectations that have been utterly underwhelmed. But that belies a key piece of logic: A young player’s progression does not happen in linear steps. As humans, we like things to be rationalised, compartmentalised and in-step. And so we apply this contextual thinking onto things that do not necessarily compute as such. A player’s development is one of those things. Plateaus happen. Bursts of form take place. Even regression will come at certain periods. This has been the case with Iwobi. He has not made the linear development that was anticipated.

Another problem that he has suffered from is that he has not been playing in his best position. Because of his natural athleticism and pace, many assumed that the Nigerian is best suited to a wide or attacking midfield role. But such are the problems that he has when in and around the penalty area, allied with his excellent touch, technique, and possession-preserving distribution, actually, it may be the case that Iwobi is better served in a deeper midfield position.

That was where he played in Sunday’s 5-0 dismantling of Burnley. He was phenomenal. With Granit Xhaka and Jack Wilshere alongside him, Iwobi was afforded the freedom to maraud forward when he saw the opportunity, but, crucially, he started 10 yards deeper, rather than already being thrust into the tight and congested final third.

It was in picking up the ball from deep that Iwobi did his best work. He still showcased the ease at which he can beat a defender, dropping a shoulder and driving forward with the ball, but also distributed wonderfully. His pass to Alexandre Lacazette for the first goal was lovely. He then played a key part in the second goal slipping Hector Bellerin through. And he also scored with a rasping finish, though this came after a dynamic, direct drive from midfield.

This, for me, is Iwobi’s niche. This is his best position. This is where his talents his optimised and his weaknesses are hidden. It has taken two years for Arsene Wenger to play him a little deeper, but now that he has, I feel that Iwobi should be looking to establish his future there.

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It remains to be seen whether the new manager agrees. Everything is contingent on who that individual is and nothing can really be decided or prepared for until that appointment is made. But Iwobi showed where he is best suited. Now, he just needs someone who will play him there.