Alex Iwobi fears losing Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil would ruin Arsenal’s hopes of getting back in Champions League
Nigerian says it would be a 'huge setback' if the contract rebels exited as they can both 'change a game - or a season'
ALEX IWOBI warns it will be a “huge setback” if Arsenal lose Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
The Gunners’ contract rebels could be sold in January, or go for free at the end of the season.
And Iwobi has broken the dressing-room silence on their futures by admitting losing them could wreck the club’s chance of getting back into the Champions League.
Arsenal’s Nigerian star, 21, said: “When they are fit they are unstoppable. They are both capable of changing a game — or a season.
“They have a big decision to make. But it would be a huge setback to lose them because from the stats you can see we do need them for their goals and assists.
“For a team like Arsenal, we need to be aiming for the top four and we need what they bring.”
Sanchez has scored 73 goals and made 39 assists in his 151 games for the Gunners, while Ozil has an equally impressive 32 goals and 54 assists in 166 matches.
And Iwobi added: “It will be great for them to stay. I’ve learnt a lot from them.
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“Just the opportunity to even train with them has been amazing. They are two top-class players with great experience having played at the top level.”
Both players’ contracts expire at the end of the season and both have refused to sign new ones despite Arsenal offering vastly-improved terms.
Sanchez is wanted by Manchester City, who were only denied signing him in the summer when Thomas Lemar snubbed a move from Monaco to Arsenal on deadline day.
Ozil has been linked with Inter Milan and Manchester United.
But if they do go, Iwobi is ready to step into their boots.
He said: “If it means me playing No 10 or any position for the club, I’m ready to give 100 per cent. Whenever the chance comes to play in that role, I’ll be ready.”
Iwobi’s development has been thanks to Arsene Wenger — and he backed the Arsenal boss after calls for his head following the 4-0 loss at Liverpool earlier in the season.
Iwobi said: “A week after that, we had talks about what went wrong, how are we going to react from this, and ever since then we’ve won every game bar the Chelsea game.
“We are using that as a motivation in every game. We are always fighting for the manager in training, we have so much respect for him.
“The history he has is amazing. Everyone in the dressing room is always giving 100 per cent to him. Fans are allowed to say what they want. We have to put it right, do what the manager says to get results.”
Iwobi is now aiming for a top-four place this season after slipping out of the Champions League.
He said: “We have to be consistent, to end up in the top four, top six.
“Hopefully top four because we are disappointed not to be in the Champions League. So we have to be consistent and do well. We’ll see where we end up at the end of the season.”