The Nigeria midfielder came in for extensive criticism following the Gunners' 2-2 draw against PSG on Wednesday, but the last thing he needs is terrace abuse
Arsenal’s draw on Wednesday at home to Paris Saint-Germain means their placement in the group is no longer in their own hands. The French champions will seal qualification in first place with a victory at home against winless Ludogorets on Matchday 6, again condemning the Gunners to a round-of-16 tie against one of the winners of the other groups.
The disappointment is stark, not because it is an unfamiliar situation for the Londoners, but because only a month ago, it genuinely seemed there would be a break from the norm. Fight, heart, grit, aggression, all of the factors that had been lacking at the Emirates over the years seemed in abundant supply, and all the team’s moving parts were grinding along in perfect syncronization.
Central to this was the form of youngster Alex Iwobi, and for all the midfield dysfunction occasioned by the continued absence of the metronomic Santi Cazorla, the team’s loss of form has coincided with that of the Nigeria international.
Having broken into the team at the end of last season, Iwobi has proceeded to make himself indispensable this term, culminating in a star turn in the 3-0 demolition of Chelsea in September. With his head and socks rolled down, the 20-year-old excelled in knitting Arsenal’s play together, and taking some of the creative burden off Mesut Ozil.
Iwobi in the Premier League so far this season
However, there has been a dip in recent weeks, starting from the North London derby where the Arsenal befuddlement at Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to field a back three was apparent. Usually a picture of assurance and composure, Iwobi seemed unsure what zones to exploit, and was not his usual sparkling best.
Within a team that is built on balance, that most ubiquitous Wengerism, it is no surprise then that as its chief exponent has fallen away, so has the rest of the team. However, this is not new in football: young players will suffer from breaks in consistency at different points, a fact that should not detract from their overall quality.
When these dips happen, it then behooves the manager to make the call to rest the player on occasion to preserve freshness, a measure which saw Iwobi sit out Arsenal's trip to Old Trafford over the weekend.
Within a team that is built on balance, that most ubiquitous Wengerism, it is no surprise then that as its chief exponent has fallen away, so has the rest of the team. However, this is not new in football: young players will suffer from breaks in consistency at different points, a fact that should not detract from their overall quality.
When these dips happen, it then behooves the manager to make the call to rest the player on occasion to preserve freshness, a measure which saw Iwobi sit out Arsenal's trip to Old Trafford over the weekend.
Arsenal’s draw on Wednesday at home to Paris Saint-Germain means their placement in the group is no longer in their own hands. The French champions will seal qualification in first place with a victory at home against winless Ludogorets on Matchday 6, again condemning the Gunners to a round-of-16 tie against one of the winners of the other groups.
The disappointment is stark, not because it is an unfamiliar situation for the Londoners, but because only a month ago, it genuinely seemed there would be a break from the norm. Fight, heart, grit, aggression, all of the factors that had been lacking at the Emirates over the years seemed in abundant supply, and all the team’s moving parts were grinding along in perfect syncronization.
Central to this was the form of youngster Alex Iwobi, and for all the midfield dysfunction occasioned by the continued absence of the metronomic Santi Cazorla, the team’s loss of form has coincided with that of the Nigeria international.
Iwobi in the Premier League so far this season
However, there has been a dip in recent weeks, starting from the North London derby where the Arsenal befuddlement at Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to field a back three was apparent. Usually a picture of assurance and composure, Iwobi seemed unsure what zones to exploit, and was not his usual sparkling best.
Within a team that is built on balance, that most ubiquitous Wengerism, it is no surprise then that as its chief exponent has fallen away, so has the rest of the team. However, this is not new in football: young players will suffer from breaks in consistency at different points, a fact that should not detract from their overall quality.
When these dips happen, it then behooves the manager to make the call to rest the player on occasion to preserve freshness, a measure which saw Iwobi sit out Arsenal's trip to Old Trafford over the weekend.
Within a team that is built on balance, that most ubiquitous Wengerism, it is no surprise then that as its chief exponent has fallen away, so has the rest of the team. However, this is not new in football: young players will suffer from breaks in consistency at different points, a fact that should not detract from their overall quality.
When these dips happen, it then behooves the manager to make the call to rest the player on occasion to preserve freshness, a measure which saw Iwobi sit out Arsenal's trip to Old Trafford over the weekend.
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