The Gunners midfielder’s offensive stats make for impressive reading
Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi in action with Burnley’s Steven Defour
Following another underwhelming start to the 2016/17 Premier League campaign, Arsenal seemed destined for another season of frustration under Arsene Wenger.
Losing to Liverpool on the opening day, then taking just a point away from The King Power Stadium against the champions Leicester City, The Gunners faithful were faced with the prospect of further indifference.
Fast-forward five league games and the North Londoners have taken a maximum 15 points on offer. The man who has played a large part in that is midfielder Alex Iwobi.
Iwobi missed that trip to Leicester and Watford before returning to the starting XI versus Hull City.
Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi celebrates after Theo Walcott scores their second goal versus Hull City
He again impressed, notching a further two assists. His all round game has earned plaudits across the board for multiple assured displays.
The winger is not just joint-assist king for the club on three, but since his return sits comfortably at the top end of offensive play.
As per WhoScored, Iwobi has made 1.6 shots per game for The Gunners, third only to Theo Walcott and Alexis Sánchez with 3 and 3.3 shots respectively.
Whilst the Chilean maestro and Mesut Özil would be expected to carry the bulk of Arsenal’s distribution, the Nigerian is hot on their heels.
Iwobi has made 1.4 key passes on average compared to both men’s 2.2 and 2.6, despite having played at least 150 minutes less game time this term.
Arsenal’s left wing has led the majority of their play this term
Not only the numbers tell the story of Iwobi’s contribution. The majority of Arsenal’s touches in attack so far this campaign have been down the Nigerian’s left flank. 37% infact, compared to 33% centrally and 30% on the opposite wing.
When Iwobi does shoot, the number 17 moves inside the channel onto the fringes of the penalty area. Both areas dominate The Gunners’ play, with 58% of shots from the middle, 63% of which are from the edge of the box.
Competition for places is tougher than ever in the Arsenal squad.
With Aaron Ramsey returning to fitness and as Olivier Giroud and Lucas Perez wait for their chances, Alexis Sánchez could once more drop into a left-sided role.
Should that occur, Iwobi’s position would become under threat. With evidence like this however, the midfielder’s cool head could see a starting berth cemented for some time.
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