Emery's Go-To Player Off The Bench: Arsenal Label Iwobi As Game-Changer After Starring Vs Cardiff

Published: January 30, 2019

Alex Iwobi has been hailed by Arsenal's website for his stirring display in the wake of their 2-1 victory against Cardiff City yesterday.

Manager Unai Emery started the 22-year-old amongst the substitutes for the eight time from his 21 league appearances and the Gunners were rewarded with his display when he was brought on for Mohamed Elneny on resumption of the second half.

"Alex Iwobi changed the game on Tuesday night. For all our attacking flair on paper, we struggled to force back a Cardiff side that got increasingly buoyant as the first half unfolded. But on came Iwobi at the break as Unai Emery sacrificed a defensive midfielder for attacking drive - and it paid dividends.

"...his ability to drive at defenders gave Cardiff a big problem, and his understanding with Kolasinac just gets better and better", the club's correspondent, Chris Harris wrote on the Super Eagles man.

This was indeed true as it was only after the introduction of the Nigerian that the Gunners showed real intent on breaking a spirited Cardiff City side, with the winger's skills and drive at the visiting defence resulting in a penalty.

The stats from statistical website, Whoscored backed up the observations from the club's website as he had 32 touches as a sub, tested goalkeeper Neil Etheridge once and had a pass success rate of 82.6 percent.

Iwobi is expected to be one of the key players that will be named to Nigeria's African Cup Of Nations squad for this year's competition by Gernot Rohr.

Emmanuel Chinaza

Photo Credit : arsenal.com