Arsenal: Should we talk about Alex Iwobi now or later?

So… Alex Iwobi was actually good for Arsenal against Chelsea. Does that mean we should make of this more than it actually is?

I was not alone when I let out a wallowing cry towards the heavens upon seeing Arsenal‘s starting XI against Chelsea. Mainly because of one reason – Alex Iwobi was starting.

In isolation, it’s bad enough, but when you consider that Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette were on the bench, then you may want to go ahead and utter another cry to the heavens again, just thinking back on it.

But despite how cry-worthy it was, Iwobi actually did quite well for himself. And not like ‘well he wasn’t terrible, so that’s good,’ kind of well. He actually played the part of Arsenal starter, held his own against Chelsea and didn’t allow me to gripe about him more than once or twice.

Not to mention he scored the goal that both Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang woefully missed. And he scored it very well, without a hint of doubt.

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All of this said, it can never stay as it is, we have to hyper-analyze it and ask that all important, nagging question that can never properly be answered – what does this mean? Does it mean that Iwobi has crossed a bridge? Does it mean that more changes are in store? Does it mean that he starts against West Ham?

None of those questions can be answered, because it is far too early. What we can say, however, is that unlike a lot of other players on this team, Iwobi put his best foot forward. He was given an opportunity, and a skeptical one at that, but with that opportunity, he succeeded. He was a competent member of the team even outside of the goal.

It’s the kind of performance that often prompts a ‘that deserves another start’ from me. Yet I still find myself hesitating, because to start Iwobi would mean that one of any number of more reliable players is on the bench. But it also means that Emery is doing something that Wenger either didn’t do at all, or did in excess – rewarding a positive performance.

So, if Iwobi does appear on that starting XI against West Ham, you are more than welcome to gripe and groan. But remember that he did well against Chelsea and give him the courtesy of a fair chance before you pin all the club’s failures on him.

Emery clearly believes in Iwobi, just like Arsene Wenger did. Eventually, it gets to the point where that many people, or that many professionals, rather, can’t be wrong. We can all see his talent, but who can get the best out of him?