'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After his ill-advised misdemeanor in the buildup to the Nottingham Forest game in the FA Cup where Arsenal lost 4-2, it was quite surprising to see Nigerian international, Alex Iwobi start the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge, with club legend, Ian Wright, wondering why Arsene Wenger didn’t discipline the 21-year-old by leaving him out of the starting eleven or the matchday squad altogether.
After the disastrous loss in the third round of the FA Cup at the City Ground, videos emerged of Iwobi partying late till around 3 am on the morning of the game, which has led to Wenger insisting that the club would sanction the academy product.
It was claimed that Iwobi was initially informed that he won’t be part of the travelling squad, but the club have a 48-hour period in the buildup to any clash within which players are not allowed to party, which Iwobi violated.
Iwobi needs to grow up
Iwobi could risk his career if he continues this trend, and must buckle up to realize his massive potential. With the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil looking extremely uncertain, Iwobi should be more concerned as to how he will be tasked with the responsibility of replacing any of these marquee players.
He is far too inconsistent to warrant a regular first team place, and this latest setback may be a step back in his relationship with the manager, Arsene Wenger, who has always believed in his abilities and even gave him his debut as a raw 18-year-old back in 2015.
So many players have failed to reach the top of the game despite their obvious talent and while many cases are due to injury and form issues, many more have been because they became conceited by achieving so much so early in their career.
Hard work is the only way to go
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank Lampard and Leo Messi all reached the top by constantly motivating themselves to be better than they are and worked hard to reach worldwide status.
They would train hard, honing skills and abilities on the pitch, and Iwobi could learn from this. It doesn’t take long to be forgotten in this game, and the youngster should buckle up or he will see his unfortunate fate like some of the others before him.
Raheem Sterling of Manchester City was known earlier for his partying, but he has cut back on all that, and instead, he has focused completely on his game and is visibly reaping the rewards.
This incident may just be a minor blip so Iwobi must take this as a blessing in disguise as he must be careful of the things he does.
A professional has only around 15 years to play the game, and those years must strictly be focused entirely on the game instead of frivolities.
Hard-work beats talent if talent fails to work hard.
