Arsenal: Alex Iwobi just keeps on rolling

Alex Iwobi recorded another assist in Nigeria’s 4-0 thrashing of Libya on Saturday. The Arsenal attacker is in the form of his life. And he just keeps on rolling.

Alex Iwobi has always been a confidence player. Even during the difficult past two years, the periods that he has flourished in have often come as a result of a burgeoning self-belief that frees him to be more expressive, taking more risks and playing with a greater purpose and intention, on the pitch.

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This season, the Arsenal midfielder has been at his most confident. Seemingly freed under the management of Unai Emery, playing with a far greater license to attempt things and not droop his shoulders if and when they fail, Iwobi has brought a drive and impetus, both to his individual game and the collective attack of the team.

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And on Saturday afternoon, as he suited up for the Nigerian national team, he simply continued in the same vein that he has all season long. Nigeria thrashed Libya 4-0 in the AFCON Qualifiers to rise to second in the standings, just one point behind leaders South Africa. It was an impressive performance by the Super Eagles, Odion Ighalo grabbing a hat-trick in the process. And Iwobi was at the heart of it.

His influence in the first half, playing in a central attacking midfield role, was actually a little diminished. He struggled to seek out pockets of space in between the Libya midfield and defence and struggled to impact the match in any meaningful manner. But then, in the second half, he produced a moment of rare quality.

Receiving the ball 10 yards into the attacking half, in the half-space to the right, he turned, surveyed the field and scythed through the Libya defence with a perfectly weighted pass for Ighalo to scamper onto, round the goalkeeper and roll into the empty net. It was a lovely pass, indicative of the greater attacking threat that he has posed this season.

Throughout this recent run of flourishing form, I have, in the back of my mind, always had a niggling doubt about how long it would last. It’s not that I don’t think that Iwobi is a good player, but is he good enough to maintain this type of form over a full season? Or even half a season, for that matter?

He might well be playing the best that he has ever played. But how long will it last? That may be a negative perspective to hold. Perhaps it would less egregious to simply enjoy his playing well while he is indeed playing well, rather than worrying about when his playing well will become his playing poorly. But that, unfortunately, is the niggling doubt that I have.

Nevertheless, for now, Iwobi is doing precisely what he must. Just keep performing. Just keep rolling on. And, for now, I will do my best to simply enjoy watching him.