Arsenal: Unai Emery should give Alex Iwobi the role he needs

Alex Iwobi has blossomed once more under Unai Emery. However, it is now time the Arsenal star was given the role he requires: central attacking midfield.

The form of Alex Iwobi has been one of the big positives of Unai Emery’s first season in charge. Iwobi, who burst onto the scene three years ago, had seen his form plateau in Arsene Wenger’s final year, but Emery’s arrival has seen a resurgent player that has increasingly become one of Arsenal’s most important players.

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Throughout his career, Iwobi has largely played out on the left-hand side of the attack, a position he has performed in admirably. But in watching him, I feel that it is a role that perhaps isn’t getting the best out of him. While he is one of the few players in the squad that can carry the ball long distances, he naturally drifts inside too often and, when paired with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the other side, it leaves the attack with a worrying lack of width.

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In recent weeks this lack of width has become increasingly problematic and Arsenal seem to have become reliant on the forward runs of Sead Kolasinac. Against Fulham, three of the four goals came from attacks that Kolasinac started, while against West Ham, they struggled to create anything from scenarios that he wasn’t involved in.

The reason Emery has stuck with Iwobi out wide is largely down to the complete lack of other options. But it still feels like we could see more consistent and complete performances from the Nigerian if he was given a free central role.

Arsenal’s best attacking performances this season have seen either Aaron Ramsey or Mesut Ozil in this role. Against Leicester City or during the second half against Spurs, they were able to link the midfield and attack effectively, allowing Alexandre Lacazette and Aubameyang to focus on their strengths. In poorer attacking performances, like that against Huddersfield or West Ham, there was no one to link the attack and midfield and, as a result, the two strikers were left isolated.

Emery has tried to remedy this issue in a number of ways, but it is clear that he doesn’t trust Ozil’s work rate and consistency, while he is unwilling to build his team around Ramsey when he will be leaving in six months’ time. Iwobi, then, can be the answer to the problem.

The 22-year-old is a greater dribbler, he is fast with and without the ball, and he has a good eye for a pass. He is not as polished as Ozil or as prolific as Ramsey, but as a young man, he can perhaps develop into a more complete player. As a winger, he tracks back and defends well and defends well, so he has the potential to play an important role as the lead pressing option from midfield also.

He has also shown an improved cutting edge in recent weeks, with goals against Burnley and Blackpool and assists against Liverpool and Fulham. If Arsenal are able to remedy our winger issues, which the emergence of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and the potential arrival of Denis Suarez could do, Iwobi may be able to begin making that free midfield role his own.

It is clear that neither Ozil nor Ramsey are part of Emery’s long-term plans. So surely it is time to give someone who might be a chance to stake his claim for this position. And that someone is Alex Iwobi. It is time Unai Emery provided him with the role that he requires.