It is difficult to know where to stand with Alex Iwobi. On the one hand, he is a player who has demonstrated his undoubted potential and, at times, looks capable of emerging as a valued part of Arsenal’s squad. On the other, he has grown increasingly frustrating and appears bereft of any self-belief.
On Sunday, against West Ham, it was more frustration. Crosses and passes went astray. Promising situations came to nothing. When Iwobi had the ball, what he did with it more often than not led to groans from the fans.
Already, he has been condemned by some for his performance. This was a bad display too far. He is, in the eyes of some, clearly not of the standard required to establish himself as a regular at the Emirates.
But it should not be forgotten that Iwobi is still young: he is not yet 22 and remains in the nascent stages of his career. To completely dismiss him at this stage would be premature, and unfair.
Arsene Wenger, who on Friday announced his decision to leave Arsenal after 22 years at the club, has shown a typical unyielding belief in Iwobi. The Nigerian has made 34 appearances this season – 25 of which have been starts – and Wenger persisted with him against West Ham.
Wenger has often spoken of his role as an educator, as a nurturer of young talent. Iwobi, it seems, is yet to complete that education. There is a feeling that he has not yet been refined. Potential remains, for now, potential, but he is in danger of running out of time.
Iwobi has enviable attacking attributes: he is quick, technically gifted and capable of picking out an incisive pass. But consistency has evaded him. Perhaps it is a positional issue: Iwobi played on the right against West Ham and some have suggested that he is not a winger, that he would be better if utilised in a more central role.
Perhaps it is simply a case of confidence. Or perhaps, as Iwobi’s harshest critics might point out, his development has been stunted. Perhaps he has not progressed as hoped since breaking through as a teenager in 2015.
More likely, it is a culmination of mitigating circumstances that have led to Iwobi’s disappointing performances of late. Wenger’s trust is unlikely to be unfounded. But there are growing concerns that Iwobi, in the coming years, might not make the cut at Arsenal. There have been numerous young players during Wenger’s tenure who have shown promise but, in the end, failed to establish themselves.
Iwobi will be hope to be different. And he will no doubt be aware that he is yet to convince. There has been vitriolic criticism from sections of the Arsenal support. In itself, that is more likely to hinder than help Iwobi, but it will alert him of the need to improve.
Next season, he will be without the support of Wenger, who has known Iwobi since he was eight years old, when he was making a name for himself in the club’s academy. Wenger helped him develop from a talented youngster to a first teamer. He gave him his chance and has stuck by him in moments of difficulty.
Arsenal’s next manager might not. He will view Iwobi objectively; there will be no sentiment involved. Iwobi, then, will need to mature, to step out of his comfort zone and prove his worth. If he does not, his long term future at Arsenal will be in doubt.
