Alex Iwobi: What Theo Walcott wishes he was

“He can play on the left, he can play on the right, he can play behind the striker, even number nine.”

It may sound like a fan chant, but the above is the simple explanation from Arsene Wenger when asked about the future of Alex Iwobi in February. The well-trodden path of the loaned-out youngster was sure to beckon for the 19-year-old. Jack Wilshere flourished after a spell with Bolton. Time at Watford in 2014 benefited Hector Bellerin. Francis Coquelin, Joel Campbell and Aaron Ramsey have all become key members of the first-team squad after experience out on loan. It has become a rite of passage for youngsters at the Emirates Stadium: Iwobi was surely the next in line.
But Wenger refused. “I have a hesitation about loaning him out,” said the Frenchman a month and a half ago. “It’s because I think this guy could very quickly play.” When Wenger gets it wrong, he gets it very wrong. But when he gets it right…
The decision not to loan out Iwobi spoke volumes. Wenger’s reputation for developing young talent is undoubted, and the Frenchman regularly uses the loan market to hand experience to those who are not quite ready. “There is a gap here between playing in the reserves and our first team,” Wenger once said in 2008. “So I try to loan them to another club, to get them ready.”
They say actions speak louder than words. Wenger was almost shouting when offering his backing to Iwobi by keeping hold of him; he would have needed several megaphones to send a more emphatic message of support than starting the forward against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the Champions League last month. Iwobi’s sudden rise to prominence continued with another goal on another start in the victory over Watford.
After 76 minutes, Iwobi departed the field to rousing applause from a delighted Arsenal home support. It was the kind of reaction his replacement Theo Walcott yearns for. The England international rounded off the scoring at the Emirates Stadium, but he would be forgiven for suffering a bout of jealousy having watched Iwobi’s performance. He must also be fearing for his squad place.
Before Iwobi, Walcott was one of the last youngsters Wenger opted not to loan out. The forward was 16 when he signed from Southampton in 2006. But Wenger did not sound out a Championship side for a loan move. Instead, he gradually introduced Walcott into the Arsenal first team. While the loan market is Wenger’s tried and trusted method, special dispensation will be afforded to special players. Walcott was one. Iwobi is another.
Walcott was synonymous with the word ‘prospect’ in his teenage years. His raw talent and electric pace made for an incredibly exciting talent. But the potential has never been fulfilled. Walcott wants to play as a striker, yet has never provided a sustained run of form to support his argument. As a winger he is too often ineffective. In Wenger’s words, Iwobi “can play on the left, he can play on the right, he can play behind the striker, even number nine”. The 19-year-old is already a more-rounded player than the 27-year-old, and only one of them will progress.
The most impressive traits among Iwobi’s burgeoning arsenal (ahem…) are his adaptability and versatility. It is not that the Nigerian can play in a number of different positions, it is that he can excel in them. He facilitates and suits Arsenal’s style; Walcott so often impinges upon and restricts it. Iwobi is a team player; Walcott is an individual. The elder has been Wenger’s favourite for so long, but Iwobi has all the potential to usurp him. And potential is a far more attractive characteristic in a 19-year-old player than it is a 27-year-old.
Against Barcelona, Iwobi impressed. Against Everton, Iwobi impressed. Against Watford, Iwobi impressed. Three consecutive starts, two back-to-back goals. Iwobi has now scored as many goals in two Premier League starts as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – another whose potential persuaded Wenger not to loan out – in his last 30. The Nigerian has already surpassed one former Southampton prospect; he has every chance of unseating Walcott as well.

Breaking News : Obi Mikel Appointed Nigeria Captain As Musa Steps Down

Chelsea star John Obi Mikel,28, has been appointed as the new captain of the Super Eagles with immediate effect.

The former skipper, CSKA Moscow frontman Ahmed Musa, made the announcement at a press briefing on Thursday afternoon.

Musa was appointed captain of the Nigeria squad by ex-coach Sunday Oliseh in October 2015 after the former Juventus midfielder fell out will Lille netminder Vincent Enyeama.

In his first words after the announcement, Mikel said : “Thanks to Musa and the team. It will be a new Super Eagles with a new approach.”

Obi Mikel is the most senior player in the current Super Eagles squad, having made his debut 11 years ago when he was introduced in the second half of the friendly against Libya.

NFF  Reveals Arsenal Midfielder Iwobi Is Set To Make Competitive Debut Against Egypt

The Nigeria Football Federation has revealed that Arsenal attacking midfielder Alex Iwobi is not in danger of missing the African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Egypt.

The former England youth-teamer did not participate in training with the Nigeria squad on Tuesday morning and the initial reports that emanated from Abuja suggested that he was either carrying a knock or suffering from food poisoning.

The NFF posted on its official Twitter page that Iwobi is suffering from traveler’s flu but he is well and set to play against Egypt.

And based on the pronouncement by the Federation, the 19-year-old can no longer represent England internationally if he is given a run out against the North Africans.

WATFORD TO SIGN UCHE,SUCCESS IN THE SUMMER

English premiership modest club, Watford FC are exploring ways to sign ex-Nigeria U20 international Uche Agbo from Granada in the summer.

Uche’s teammate at the Andalusian outfit, Isaac Success, is in the final round of talks with Hornets suits regarding a transfer and the central midfielder could follow his pal to The Vic in the coming months.

Watford higher-ups are scheduled to fly to Spain before the first week of April to conclude negotiations with their sister club and representatives of the former Enyimba star.

Uche officially joined Udinese in 2014 following a successful trial but has been on the books of Granada for the last two years.

The 20-year-old is tied to the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes outfit until the summer of 2018.

FANS AGOG AS MIKEL, OTHERS TRAIN IN KADUNA.

Hundreds of fans mobbed Eagles stars Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa and Efe Ambrose after Tuesday evening training at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

Chelsea star Mikel was also mobbed by fans when the team trained in Abuja earlier in the day.

Celtic defender Ambrose is returning to the city where he was born and where he went on to captain the city’s biggest club, Kaduna United.

The fans wanted to touch the players they often watch in action with their European clubs on television and also take pictures and selfies with them.

There was an appreciable number of fans at the first training in Kaduna, the northern Nigerian town where Nigeria will host Egypt on Friday in a crucial AFCON qualifier with a reverse clash in Alexandria four days later.

The 20,000-capacity Ahmadu Bello Stadium is expected to be jammed on Friday with the highest gate fee being 1,000 Naira, which is less than $3.

NIGERIA PLAYERS UPDATE....

 The Super Eagles central midfielder Onazi Ogenyi watched proceedings from the bench as Lazio lost 3-0 to Czech Republic side Sparta Prague in Rome.

Former Flying Eagles striker Kehinde Fatai came off the bench in the 83rd minute. It was his 14th appearance in Europe for Sparta Prague since joining the club in summer of 2015.

Bayer Leverkusen teenage striker Ufumwen Osawe was not considered for selection as the Germans were held to a goalless draw by Villarreal, who progressed to the last eight.

It was a bad night indeed for players with Nigerian heritage, with Imoh Ezekiel and Stefano Okaka crashing out of the competition, with Anderlecht after losing 4-1 on aggregate to Ukrainian powerhouse Shakhtar Donetsk at Constant Vanden Stock.

Ezekiel partnered Okaka in the attack of the Belgians and was replaced in the 73rd minute.

Over to Old Trafford, Jordon Ibe was an unused substitute as Liverpool were forced to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United. Teammate Sheyi Ojo was not selected in the 18-man squad. The Anfield side are through to the last eight.

Switzerland youth international Manuel Akanji is still recovering from injury and missed FC Basel’s 3-0 loss to holders Sevilla at Estadio R. Sanchez Pizjuan.

After losing the first leg in Germany, Tottenham Hotspur were beaten 2-1 at White Hart Lane by Borussia Dortmund. England midfielder

Dele Alli started and played 70 minutes of the tie, while Josh Onomah was introduced in the 74th minute.

Igho Kingsely

Alex Iwobi Makes First - Ever Start For Arsenal In Champions League

Nigeria international Alex Iwobi will make his first-ever Champions League start for Arsenal in the Round of 16, second round tie against Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night, starting from 2045 hours.

The 19-year-old has been handed a spot in attacking midfield alongside Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.

Iwobi has never started a game in the Premier League but was included in the starting XI by manager Arsene Wenger for Cup games against Sunderland, Burnley, Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday.

The offensive all-rounder was given a run out against Bayern Munich, lasting only six minutes on the pitch in the 5-1 loss suffered by the Gunners in the group stage.

Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Elneny, Iwobi, özil, Sanchez, Welbeck.
Subs: Macey, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Coquelin, Campbell, Walcott, Giroud.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Alba, Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic, Messi, Neymar, Suarez.
Subs: Bravo, Arda, Bartra, Munir, Sergi Roberto, Aleix Vidal, Vermaelen.