Arsenal: Reasons for selling Alex Iwobi, at the right price

On Wednesday, Arsenal received a last-ditch bid from Everton for Alex Iwobi. Here are some reasons why they should sell the Nigerian, but only for the right price.

As you may have heard, Everton have reportedly made a £30m for Alex Iwobi, a player that has divided fans over the years. Truly, ‘divided’ might be generous as it makes it seem as if fans in the pro-Iowbi camp are equally matched by doubters — they are not. In truth, I’d bet my house that most fans would revel in selling Iwobi. I am not one of them.

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Nevertheless, I would be hard-pressed to find a justification for not selling Iwobi should Everton come back with a bid of around £40 million, as has been muted. With this transfer rumor, it seems as though Arsenal may be of the same mind as they deemed Everton’s initial bid to be insufficient.

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If Everton were to continue their chase of the winger, the Gunners should sell. And, in fact, it shouldn’t even be debated.

Remember when, before the sensational Nicolas Pepe coup, Arsenal fans were raving over the chance to sign Wilfried Zaha? Well, one of the other teams that has steadily tried to buy the tricky, crafty Ivorian winger is Everton. However, it seems as if they have been priced out of a deal, with Crystal Palace standing firm on their £80 million.

Nevetheless, the initial interest from Unai Emery and the club was there. With Zaha now having handed in a transfer request in a last-ditch effort to force a move, the funds from a £40m Iwobi sale could be used to buttress the transfer kitty. Zaha may now be down the pecking order a little, but he would still be a significant improvement on Iwobi.

Moreover, between Bukayo Saka’s intricate dribbling, weaving defenders into a web of discontent, Gabriel Martinelli’s directness, and Reiss Nelson’s undoubted ability, the Gunners boast a stable of excellent young wide attackers. None are afraid to take on more senior defenders, which is a quality that has been lacking in the team’s attacking play. With Iwobi out the door, greater opportunities would arise for these players. The depth is there to let him leave.

If Iwobi was to stay, it seems he would be best suited for a position in central midfield. But, unfortunately for him, nailing down a spot there is just as difficult as on the wings. Iwobi would be daunted with the task of outperforming Dani Ceballos, Joe Willock, and Matteo Guendouzi just to be the first reserve behind last season’s starting trio, Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Mesut Ozil.

Ceballos, a silky midfield general whose only fault, so far, has been his inability to unseat the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, two of the best midfielders of this generation, is far better prepared for a first-team role than Iwobi is. Meanwhile, Willock staked his claim for first-team playing time with his pre-season performances and Guendouzi is a clear favourite of Emery’s, so much so that I’d argue the Spaniard overplayed him last season. It is difficult to see where Iwobi fits into the team, and to raise £40 million for a player who does not fit is hugely significant.

Iwobi has shown that he undoubtedly has potential. Indeed, last season, he was often a difference-maker and seldom as tragic as he was the year before. But it’s fair to say that his time is running out. If he stays, this would surely be his last rendition as Arsenal call the curtains on his performance. Ultimately, everyone has their price, and I believe Arsenal have found theirs.

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