Why Iwobi Is In Arsenal’s First Team - Wenger

Arsene Wenger has revealed that Alex Iwobi's ability to connect with his team-mates and also analyse games were some of the reasons he decided to give the young Nigerian a chance with Arsenal's first-team.


Arsène Wenger gave Iwobi his first-team debut in the League Cup last season.

The 20-year-old went on to score two league goals and grabbed a couple of assists.

Despite sustaining an injury against Liverpool, Iwobi has since returned to first-team action and provided two assists in Arsenal's 4-1 win against Hull City last weekend.

“I knew when I took him in training a few times,” Wenger told arsenal.com.

“He is not the kind of player who impresses you at first. But when you look a bit deeper he is quick at connecting with other players. Quick analysis.

“Football is perception, decision-making and acting. The perception especially struck me. The perception he has of the game and the speed of his decision-making struck me.

“When you look at him at first there is nothing special there. But after when you look he is always connecting with others at a very high level and a very high pace. That’s why I think he is improving.

“He has still a lot of work to do but he has something that is very important at the top level. Speed and an understanding of the game.”