Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Valencia in Thursday’s UEFA Europa League first leg clash at the Emirates stadium reports Completesport.com.
Iwobi has made ten Europa League appearances with six of them as substitute and he has scored once and made two assists for the Gunners.
Mouctar Diakhaby handed Valencia the lead after 11 minutes but two quick goals from Alexandre Lacazette in eight minutes gave the Gunners the lead into the break.
In the second half, after so much pressure, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scored a third goal in additional time to secure a comfortable win ahead of the second leg at the Mestalla stadium.
In Germany, Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw away with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Luka Jovic gave the hosts, Frankfurt the lead after 23 minutes but Pedro Rodriguez drew Chelsea level in the 45th minute.
Despite dominating the second half, Chelsea were fortunate to survive a handful of late chances, and the tie remains finely poised ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, May 9.
7 Comments
Iwobi flatters to deceive.
Given his ability, his skillset and football sense, the youngman has not done enough for both club and country and in my estimation he looks to be overrated.
Alex needs to do alot more than dribbling and passing the ball; he needs to be more delibrate in his approach to games. He needs to steel, creativity and goals to his game.
At 22, Alex should take the opportunity he has at Arsenal very seriously as its a rare privilege, else he finds himself on the fringes of the team.
Actually, I don’t think he is overrated at all.
For the very same reasons you highlighted above, the British press and Arsenal fans often criticise him.
Also, I wrote recently that, compared to a similar African winger (Sadio Mane), Iwobi’s goals to games ratio is nothing to write home about.
I guess the truth is that ‘you can’t give what you don’t have’.
But, I am happy with him: he works hard, trains hard, applies himself well and (I believe) plays to the best of his abilities.
He could move to another club where a coach will play him in a manner and position that will increase his goals per games.
However, I think what we are seeing is as good as it gets.
A world class player is just not defined as having abilities, but it is how regularly and consistently you display these abilities (like Drogba, Samuel Eto, Sadio Mane, Salah and perhaps Yakubu Aiyegbeni).
Iwobi has loads of abilities, but his level of consistency is wholly inadequate (at the moment) for him to be classed as a really top, top class player.
But, nothing can be taken away from his desire, work rate, dedication, approach and professionalism.
God bless you @deo.you ve taking d words out of my mouth. I can add these few: Iwobi should move from Arsenal to clubs like PSG, where players are encouraged to express themselves without so much pressure n d world will see how good he is. Iwobi is a bundle of talent Waiting to explode same as Iheanacho but I think that may never happen in d English league.
Missing how?,didnt u see him on bench,which kind of journalists do we have here sef,
Our journos na wah. I watched the game and Iwobi was due to come on but for Koscielny’s injury that made Emery bring in Monreal to cover the defense instead. However, on whether he is world class, he has the abilities but needs some more work. At 22 we cannot expect him to be the finished article. His uncle, for all his skills only became the great player we continue to praise around 1998, when he was in his mid 20s. Iwobi already can create loads of chances for others but he needs to add consistency to finishing. If he can perform the way he did for us against Argentina in the friendly consistently then that is a World Class player. Let’s not judge him now. It’s too early.
HMM, OK.
I totally don’t understand why many are on the back of Iwobi.
Yes; he isn’t that finish article but he is a good article;one that can be the best in his game with a little more polish..
We should remember that,It was Iwobi’s goal against Zambia that kick off our win in and it was his goal to have us the win at the end(ironically against the same Zambia),in the World Cup qualifier..
So yes..Iwobi has put in his shift in term of positive impact in the super Eagles..
As well as Arsenal.his coach Emery has stated,that his team mates,Kolinasinac and Monreal enjoys playing with Iwobi in front of them,cause he makes those runs that are very useful to create spaces..
Iwobi’s problem is his finishing and inconsistency.
For me,I see him more like Nani, Perisic;
They can put in a big match performance sometimes and go dry when the next shift comes around..
But you never doubt their work ethics.They are just too inconsistent.
And inconsistency;like everything else,can be fixed.it only takes hardwork and dedication.
Mane wasn’t putting in double digits in goals and assists,but you can see his improvement.
It really has nothing to do with the club,or league one plays. A good player can prove his worth anywhere.that is why they play.
jay Jay Okocha said in an interview,” the only person that can stop me,is me…”
I know Iwobi doesn’t have the same skill set as his uncle,no one does; he has his. He just need to work harder to take care of his finishing,so he can beat his inconsistency.
He definitely can. He has proven that he has the ability to do such…