Iwobi Nominated For Arsenal Player And Goal Of The Month Awards But Omitted From 18 Vs Cardiff

Published: September 02, 2018

There's no Alex Iwobi in the Arsenal 18-man squad that will face Cardiff City in the fourth round of matches in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Gunners manager Unai Emery has named his squad against the Bluebirds, picking attack-minded trio Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut özil in the starting lineup, while ex-Manchester United stars Danny Welbeck and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are on the bench.

Iwobi shone in his first start of the season against Chelsea but was substituted against West Ham last weekend, fueling speculation that he did not make an impression against the Hammers, so much so that he is not even in the match day squad today.

The Nigeria international's goal against Chelsea is a contender for Arsenal's Goal of the Month for August 2018 and faces competition from Nacho Monreal and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to win the accolade.

Iwobi finished from an 18-pass move that involved all the Arsenal players except Aubameyang to equalize for the Gunners in the 41st minute at Stamford Bridge.

The Hale End Academy product has also been nominated for Arsenal Player of the Month along with Guendouzi, Mkhitaryan and Cech.

Arsenal Starting XI vs Cardiff : Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette

Substitutes: Leno, Lichtsteiner, Holding, Elneny, Torreira, Mkhitaryan, Welbeck

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : arsenal.com