Playing in many different positions' - Fulham boss Silva agrees with Arsene Wenger on Iwobi

Speaking at Thursday's pre-match press conference before his side's trip to face Premier League table-toppers Liverpool, Fulham manager Marco Silva responded to a comment from legendary former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, who described Alex Iwobi as a player capable of pulling all the strings.

Wenger handed Iwobi his professional debut in a League Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday in October 2015, and the midfielder went on to make a total of 98 appearances before the Frenchman departed the Gunners at the end of the 2017-2018 season.

A year after Wenger ended his association with Arsenal, Iwobi was sold to Everton to make room for then-club-record signing Nicolas Pépé.

Since returning to London in the summer in 2023 after a four-year stint at the Toffees, the Nigeria international showcased his versatility and has been consistent, making him one of Fulham's standout players.

Reacting to Wenger's comments, Marco Silva told reporters: "He has been incredible for us. Last season was top, even with some time out of the club, the Africa Cup of Nations took him from us for one and a half months.

"He arrived in the last day of the market, that means that he lost the month of August with us. Step by step, he started to go inside the team and to have an impact.

"He had an impact last season, this season he has been incredible from the past season. Even the past season, we felt that it was going to be a top season for him and he's enjoying the challenge that we have ahead of us."

This season, Iwobi is playing with so much freedom and has impressed in a variety of roles, including central midfield, left midfield, right midfield and on the flanks.

Silva has hailed the Hale End Academy product for the impact he has made for the Cottagers and highlighted his ability to seamlessly play in multiple positions during matches.

"He's enjoying the responsibility and the demands from myself on him, playing in many different positions.

"He is a really versatile player, apart from his quality he can do different roles. Last week for example, the role against Tottenham, completely different role against Brighton and during the game three different positions against Brighton, and a bit mixed role against Arsenal as well and was top again.

"He has been incredible for us, scoring goals and assisting. Let's hope he can continue in this way. I'm really pleased for him because he's a top professional, very good guy.

"To take the best from him is really good for us as a football club."

In his last three away games in the Premier League, Iwobi has either scored or registered an assist.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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