Arsenal Vs Leicester City: Don’t forget about Alex Iwobi

Arsenal were excellent in a 3-1 win over Leicester City on Monday night. Alex Iwobi wasn’t directly involved in any of the goals. But that doesn’t mean he should be forgotten.

Mesut Ozil was the man who grabbed the headlines when Arsenal hosted Leicester City on Monday night. And rightly so. His goal, his slid through pass to Hector Bellerin, his wonderful run-over-dummy and assist. Ozil was brilliant.

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But perhaps lost in all of the Ozil oogling, the gushing over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and the rather ambitious title talk that is currently residing in the Emirates stanchions was the performance of Alex Iwobi, an understated but still excellent display that may not receive the recognition it deserves.

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Iwobi didn’t register an assist. He didn’t score a goal. He was hardly involved in any of the moves that actually resulted in the three goals. He created just one pass. Henrikh Mkhitaryan was the only midfielder to have fewer touches than Iwobi. He completed just 80% of his passes, the lowest figure in the starting XI, other than Alexandre Lacazette. It almost looks as if he didn’t play very well. And by the stats, he didn’t. But stats don’t always tell the whole story.

Iwobi was as good in this game as he has been all season. Playing off the left flank, he was Arsenal’s primary threat in a disappointing first half, playing with verve and vivacity, speed with the ball at his feet and a flair that comes with a far greater confidence that is coming thanks to Unai Emery’s management.

The key moment in the whole match came midway through the first half. Leicester were one goal to the good. Arsenal were somewhat on the ropes, struggling to contain the pacy Leicester attack, and the crowd had gone quiet.

And then, Iwobi, tracking a high clearance that was not aimed for any player in particular, trapped the ball brilliantly, caressing it with the top of his foot, while holding off a defender with his arm and body. He then burst down the sideline, driving forwards with real pace and purpose. He turned back and then slipped the ball through the legs of a Leicester player, drawing a raucous cheer from the crowds, and passed the ball to a teammate.

It didn’t lead to anything. It could have very easily be forgotten. And a lot of the good work that Iwobi did could very easily have been forgotten. It wasn’t a part of a goal. The focus has been on Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette and Aubameyang. Not on Iwobi. But that would be unfair on the Nigerian. His performance deserves more recognition than to merely be part of the small print.

Iwobi is in the form of his life. And this was just another example to file under a growing classification of brilliant displays.