Arsenal: Robert Pires has ultimate aim for Alex Iwobi

Robert Pires has stated that Alex Iwobi ‘made the difference’ in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Watford. That being a difference-maker must be the Nigerian’s ultimate aim.

Alex Iwobi is enjoying a renaissance. After a couple of down years in which his confidence cracked and injuries scuppered his progress, the spritely midfielder seems re-energised under Unai Emery, enjoying his football and producing at a very high level. Arsenal have felt his presence.

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In 239 minutes of Premier League and Europa League action, he has one goal and two assists, a direct involvement in a goal every 80 minutes is good going for any player. It is exceptional for someone who has consistently been challenged on his lack of production in the final third.

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And in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Watford at the weekend, it was Iwobi that sparked the victory from off the bench, whipping a low cross into the six-yard box that careered off the foot of Craig Cathcart and into the back of the net, all with the help of Alexandre Lacazette making his presence a nuisance. Speaking this week with the London Evening Standard, Robert Pires, who was at the Emirates, revealed what he said to Iwobi after the match:

"“I know just one thing, I told him after the game he made the difference. He’s a great player, very fast. He finds good solutions on the field with his vision. He has good mentality and spirit. Of course, he’s young but he’s learning very quickly. Arsenal with Alex Iwobi and Alex Iwobi with Arsenal have a good future.”"

That phrase, ‘made the difference’, or, in simpler terms, being the ‘difference-maker’ is the ultimate aim for Iwobi. Players with his natural skill and talent separate themselves for the average footballer because of their ability to produce these brilliantly rare moments that win matches.

The ones that are really special can produce these moments on a consistent basis. That is what distances Lionel Messi to every other player in the world. He wins matches with wonderful pieces of play on a weekly basis. There is no one else who can do that. For Iwobi, he must simply focus on trying to be the difference-maker in the next match. And then the next one. And the next one. And the next one.

There aren’t many game-changers available to Unai Emery currently. Mesut Ozil is a conductor, a facilitator, a controller. He is not a catalyst. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Lacazette may both be goalscorers but they require service. Rarely can they create a chance on their own and then score it. Iwobi has the skill set to be able to do precisely that, to make the crucial difference in those crucial moments.

That should be his ultimate aim. If he can become a difference-maker on a consistent basis, then he will have fulfilled his potential. He will also revolutionise this team, just as he did on Saturday afternoon.