Kab (@Euhzil)
It’s not every day you here a story like this. A kid who’s moved to England from Nigeria at the age of 4. At the age of 8 he was chosen to play for the Arsenal academy. Alexander Chuka Iwobi has moved through the Arsenal ranks chronologically to the point where the u8 kid has managed to see through his childhood dream to the point where he is currently a starter for the Arsenal Football Club first team. As a role model and a clear representation of what the youth system can lead one to be, Alex Iwobi has a lot on his plate. Too much on this plate? Perhaps. From the hot prospect Academy graduate to a 21 year old who could see himself taking a step backwards back to where he came from.
Youth players to this day are living the dream through Iwobi’s eyes. He had his debut Champions League start against, his Premier League debut start against Everton along with a goal as well frequent Arsenal starts all at the impressionable age of 21. He really does have it all. His impeccable dribbling and ability to string together quick passes on the go really does make him an interesting prospect. With all the necessary ingredients, Alex could very well be a household name in years to come.
What lies deeper behind those achievements is a fairy tale that can’t be matched. In an Arsenal system where all one can do is hope that one day they’ll be able to walk out into the prodigious Emirates Stadium in red white to tens of thousands of fans. These youth systems offer all but security for one’s future, especially at an academy like Arsenal’s. They’ll relentlessly drop you as you make your way up the hierarchy. A minute population see themselves at the “final level” and amongst that population, Alex Iwobi stands tall and full of pride.
I don’t show any remorse in highlighting his achievements because of what I’m going to say next but it is time to fast forward to present day. Iwobi has managed to gather a handful of starts under Arsène Wenger. There’s no doubt that the gaffer shows high levels of loyalty to the player but in recent months that’s been a curse as opposed to a blessing. As one takes a step back and analyses Alex’s performances week in week out it’s gotten to the point where all I do is shake my head in confusion and disappointment. From numerous unsuccessful passes to awful positioning to finally, his shooting.
I’ll say this with my chest out, Iwobi has the worst finishing out of all forwards in the first team. Last season it was his inability to lift the ball but now he struggles to keep it down. The he puts on his power hot is nearly always half hearted. He gives himself very little time to look up and evaluate the situation which clearly explains his appalling placement. On occasion, he’ll have the passing brains of Iniesta but an even worse execution than De Maio. Considering that he starts every other week, this just doesn’t make sense.
In reality, it all breaks down to Wenger having a dangerous amount of loyalty towards Alex. Even with the drop of standards this club has, Alex isn’t ready to play for the first team in the Premier League, let alone start. Arsène’s blinded himself in order to keep this fairy tale running. A player like Serge Gnabry found himself getting a completely different treatment than Iwobi but do the levels of the players correlate with the treatment they’ve received? I’m not too sure.
If I had it my way, Alex would be a consistent player for the u23’s or seeing himself at another club for a loan spell. It’s important for him to come into his own. An environment with less pressure and intensity could only do the young man well. Seeing him experimenting in a more central role as he’s been promising there a couple of times would be very beneficial and interesting to watch. I’d love to see him out of his comfort zone playing in a country like Germany or even Spain for a couple of months. He could really come out a more mature player in his personal life as well as on the pitch.
I have nothing but good intentions for the player. The guy has really been going through a tough time in terms of constant black lash from fans. You never hear the guy complain or come up with excuses. I really do look up to the guy in some ways. He works his body to the ground and never gives up which is a mentality that could be picked up by his colleagues. I know one day he’ll grow into the player that we all expect him to be but all will come in due time. There’s no point in rushing his progression. As long as he remains an Arsenal player, I’ll stand by him for as many years to come.
Tacticomotion 