Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that Alex Iwobi could be in line to feature against Leicester this evening.
The Nigerian international was one of Arsenal’s brightest performers in pre-season, scoring in a friendly against Bayern Munich and impressing in the Gunners’ Community Shield win over Chelsea.
Iwobi, who came through the club’s Hale End academy, had come in for criticism after going off the boil in the second half of last season and lost his place on the left flank of Wenger’s side when Arsenal switched from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-2-1.
The 21-year-old did not start a league game from March 4 until the end of the season but, with Alexis Sanchez ruled out and Mesut Ozil still recovering from an ankle injury, that could change in the opening game of the new season.
“Alex has prepared well,” Wenger told the club website. In the middle of last season he had a little dip in his performances but this time he came back focused. He has a good mentality, he loves football passionately and his personality is absolutely fantastic.
“He is a team player on top of that and I am sure he will contribute highly. These players who come through our ranks, it is an absolutely unbelievable benefit for the club and I am convinced he will have a great season.
Arsenal in training ahead of season opener | 10/8/2017
“Yes, of course [he’s made it hard to rest him]. You know, they are not dropped, just to be in the 18 in our team at the moment is a selection, not dropped. He’ll certainly be in the squad.
“Will he start or not? I don’t know yet. But he will be in the 18 and is one of the players who can contribute highly.”
