Just a few weeks back, Arsenal fans were left fuming and embarrassed at the same time when a certain 18-year-old striker going by the name of Marcus Rashford, in a space of a couple of minutes, scored two goals past a hapless looking Petr Cech in goal on his Premier League debut.
But then, as life has it, it came all around for Arsenal fans when a certain 19-year-old winger Alex Iwobi scored to make it 2-0 against Everton yesterday to wrap up a much-needed three points for the Gunners, on his league debut, too and bagging the man-of-the-match.
A string of brilliant goal-scoring performances for the U21’s after being converted as a striker from a winger in the second half of last season prompted Arsene Wenger to reward him with a promotion to the first team, and boy oh boy, didn’t he grab it with both hands!
Having joined Arsenal while still learning basic math at primary school, Arsenal fans can again proudly revel in the joy of witnessing another gem rise through their immaculate Hale End academy, after being proud developers of Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Ashley Cole in recent history.
Many eyebrows were raised when the Nigerian International, against all odds, was named in the starting line-up for the mid-week clash at the Camp Nou against Barcelona over the likes of Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell.
Some thought of it as Wenger’s plan to give Theo and Joel a rest ahead of the busy Premier League run-in. But all those theories were quashed when Iwobi again managed to sneak through into the first XI yesterday against Everton.
Keeping others on their toes
It is due to this meteoric rise of the teen that Theo Walcott suddenly finds himself on the fringes of first team action, behind both Campbell and Iwobi in the pecking order for a place on the wings.
Maybe Theo was oblivious of the fact that being on high wages doesn’t guarantee you a starting position no matter the size of your competitor, and surely this would go down as a warning to anyone who’s contemplating that extra night off in the bar or taking their importance to the team for granted.
From being almost released, as has been the case with innumerable excellent prospects, to being offered a new deal to elongate his stay at the club, it almost seems like Arsene Wenger and Co. found some hitherto undiscovered powers possessed by the young Nigerian.
Skills, pace to get past the opponent, versatility to play as a winger and as a central striker, and the bare minimum Arsenal requirement of possessing tidy passing skills to aid their beautiful intricate passing play, Iwobi seems to have completed his first half of Arsenalification, the second half being honing his skills to take him to the next level and not letting the early promise fizzle out.
In the words of Arsene Wenger
Speaking after the 2-0 win Goodison Park, Arsene Wenger was full of praise for the Nigerian:
"He's an intelligent boy who loves football. He's very passionate about the game and keen to learn. Very hungry as well," Arsene stated. "I took him in training at the beginning of pre-season and I liked what he did. After that he improved very quickly with the first team and months after months he developed very well, and that's why I integrated him and played him."
His link-up play with Danny Welbeck was particularly something to savour, with a little one-two with the Englishman unlocking the Everton defence with effortless ease leading to a shot.
It was also interesting to see his intelligence on the pitch to create pockets of space for himself in the attacking third and press hard to get possession back, highlighting his willingness to do the dirty work.
Nephew of the Nigerian superstar Jay-Jay Okocha (who was so good that the Bolton fans named him twice), Iwobi played youth football for England but later switched allegiances to his country of birth Nigeria, when he was called upon as a second-half substitute in Nigeria’s 0-2 friendly defeat in October 2015.
Burning Out
Playing two high-tempo games in less than 72 hours in different countries might be too much for a 19-year-old to handle, which is where Arsene Wenger’s role grows to make sure Iwobi doesn’t play too much football just yet, having already burned his fingers with Jack Wilshere when he barged into the first team back in 2010/11, completely burning him out eventually.
Whatever be the result of this season, Arsenal can find solace from the fact that they have found a new superstar in Alex Iwobi who with the right guidance and support, can set alight the Emirates and stadiums around the world for years to come.
