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Iwobi

Guy is such a nothing player. Was funny watching DJ throw around his usual snark when I had the audacity to point out Iwobi has been overrated this season - probably because of like 2 nutmegs. Some others defended him too when I said he wouldn't start for any other team in the top 6, and they threw around names like Pedro, Willian etc claiming he's better than them.

Runs like he's wearing cement boots. Rather heavy-legged with a lot of heavy touches. Can't simply dribble down the byline to stretch the opposition. Can't cross (or even bother to cross). Creates less chances than a long list of fullbacks (probably at least a dozen) in the division (including our Kolasinac who has created more in fewer appearances and minutes). Has the worst shooting technique since Sanogo. Sloppy on the ball.
Sure Mkhi is probably even worse than him, but everyone slates Mkhi. I'm particularly fussed about Iwobi due to false narratives that have sought to make him out to be better than he is. In reality, he's a painfully mediocre player that wouldn't stand out in a team like Southampton. If you think that is an exaggeration, you've been conned. Even players around the foot of the PL table like Redmond, or Tom Cairney, or Schurrle, or Ryan Sessegnon, or even Townsend contribute more than he does to their teams. Zaha is like 107460635482 levels above him.

He is very key for us this season in a squad with ZERO wingers, but I can only hope at least 2 signings in that position over the next 2 transfer windows would rid us of such mediocrity. Who knows - even Reiss Nelson might put himself in position to oust him.

posted on 8/12/18

Can't agree with this article. Last season I was a massive Iwobi hater but no one can question that he has vastly improved under Emery.

And no, no one has overrated him. We all know his limitations are still significant but he's improving steadily and slowly. You are forgetting he's very young and still learning his trade.

Iwobi is an option on the wing. It's not his fault he's the only option. But he can and has changed the course of the game with his introduction.

posted on 8/12/18

comment by Sheriff John Brown - Wenger Till I Die (U7482)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Gillespie Road. (U18361)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Wenger Till I Die (U7482)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Gillespie Road. (U18361)
posted 7 minutes ago
We're no longer a tiki-taka side. Haven't been for a couple of years.

Say what you will about Iwobi, but he's one of only 3 senior players who don't "handle the ball as if it's on fire", as the Italians put it. The other 2 being Lacazette and Torreira.

We couldn't string 4 passes together before he came on today.
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His pass completion rate was 63% today. He had just 33 touches: same number as Mkhi. He didn't contribute to our keeping the ball better. He contributed to our sloppiness and the evident frustration around. The only good thing he did was keeping the ball in the corner flag late on.
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I know you're trying to make a point, but 63% isn't that bad for an attacking player. Especially in the final third of the pitch.

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You're kidding right? What do you think the pass completion of an Ozil, or Bernardo Silva, or Hazard looks like? Why does Pedro have a pass completion of 89.5% this season? Considering Iwobi's game style which is far from creative or ambitious with the final ball, you'd expect him to keep the ball better.
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I didn't say he was the 2nd coming of Messi. Just a decent player in an average bunch.

comment by Tu Meke (U3732)

posted on 8/12/18

comment by Sheriff John Brown - Wenger Till I Die (U7482)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Tu Meke Nketiah(U3732)
posted 4 minutes ago
Because he's a young lad doing his best? It's not his fault he's the best option we have.
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I haven't said it's his fault. I'm simply saying he's not a very good player. My pushback is more against those that were hyping him earlier in the season. Or are we just gonna accept mediocrity as long as players are trying their best? We shouldn't aspire to improve?
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If you read the match thread today you'd have seen people criticising him.

The reason he was getting praise before was because he was playing well.

Most people will agree we need an upgrade.

posted on 8/12/18

comment by Gillespie Road. (U18361)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Wenger Till I Die (U7482)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Gillespie Road. (U18361)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Wenger Till I Die (U7482)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Gillespie Road. (U18361)
posted 7 minutes ago
We're no longer a tiki-taka side. Haven't been for a couple of years.

Say what you will about Iwobi, but he's one of only 3 senior players who don't "handle the ball as if it's on fire", as the Italians put it. The other 2 being Lacazette and Torreira.

We couldn't string 4 passes together before he came on today.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

His pass completion rate was 63% today. He had just 33 touches: same number as Mkhi. He didn't contribute to our keeping the ball better. He contributed to our sloppiness and the evident frustration around. The only good thing he did was keeping the ball in the corner flag late on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I know you're trying to make a point, but 63% isn't that bad for an attacking player. Especially in the final third of the pitch.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

You're kidding right? What do you think the pass completion of an Ozil, or Bernardo Silva, or Hazard looks like? Why does Pedro have a pass completion of 89.5% this season? Considering Iwobi's game style which is far from creative or ambitious with the final ball, you'd expect him to keep the ball better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't say he was the 2nd coming of Messi. Just a decent player in an average bunch.
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We might as well never criticize any players in our squad and say they are decent players in an average bunch. Might as well never criticize Mustafi, Xhaka or whoever.

posted on 8/12/18

comment by Serial WUManiser™© - In Unai We Trust (U1410)
posted 11 minutes ago
Can't agree with this article. Last season I was a massive Iwobi hater but no one can question that he has vastly improved under Emery.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

This is my point. That this "perception" isn't true. Iwobi's breakthrough season under Wenger was more impressive. If you peered through a host of Iwobi's stats this season, they're not just poor, they're shocking. They reveal poor creativity and end product, sloppiness, and a general failure to influence games. Why does ewryone accept Mkhi is poor, but many people get so defensive over Iwobi's. That's what I am trying to grasp. Is it because he came through the ranks?

posted on 8/12/18

Fair play to Emery he's pretty much given every player a chance including Iwobi who I think has shown a slight improvement on last season but that ain't saying much. Come the end of the season when he sells the likes of Iwobi he can have no complaints. He's been given a chance and hasn't done it. Same with Ramsey he's had a look at him close up and realised he's not worth the money.

comment by Tu Meke (U3732)

posted on 8/12/18

I highly doubt we will sell Iwobi.

posted on 8/12/18

comment by Sheriff John Brown - Wenger Till I Die (U7482)
posted 18 minutes ago
comment by Serial WUManiser™© - In Unai We Trust (U1410)
posted 11 minutes ago
Can't agree with this article. Last season I was a massive Iwobi hater but no one can question that he has vastly improved under Emery.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

This is my point. That this "perception" isn't true. Iwobi's breakthrough season under Wenger was more impressive. If you peered through a host of Iwobi's stats this season, they're not just poor, they're shocking. They reveal poor creativity and end product, sloppiness, and a general failure to influence games. Why does ewryone accept Mkhi is poor, but many people get so defensive over Iwobi's. That's what I am trying to grasp. Is it because he came through the ranks?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
End product and creativity aren't the same. And while his end product is still a bit lacking, there is not doubt he had been one of our creative sparks (something that can't necessarily be gleaned from stats) this season, be it via intelligent runs, stretching the play, incisive passing.

As a youth product he probably does get more slack than Mkhi, but he's also younger and on lower wages.

posted on 8/12/18

‘What do you think the pass completion of an Ozil, or Bernardo Silva, or Hazard looks like? Why does Pedro have a pass completion of 89.5% this season? ’

Therein lies the problem with your argument, Sherriff. No one is claiming that at this stage in his career Iwobi is anything other than a decent option to have in the squad - exactly how Emery is using him in fact.

And of course most Gooners cut him more slack than Mhki. He’s an Arsenal lad through and through.

Not the greatest performance by anyone today, but I had a feeling Huddersfield would be a tricky match though day.

Very happy with the win.

posted on 8/12/18

comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 3 hours, 33 minutes ago
‘What do you think the pass completion of an Ozil, or Bernardo Silva, or Hazard looks like? Why does Pedro have a pass completion of 89.5% this season? ’

Therein lies the problem with your argument, Sherriff. No one is claiming that at this stage in his career Iwobi is anything other than a decent option to have in the squad - exactly how Emery is using him in fact.

And of course most Gooners cut him more slack than Mhki. He’s an Arsenal lad through and through.

Not the greatest performance by anyone today, but I had a feeling Huddersfield would be a tricky match though day.

Very happy with the win.
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Lexington,
Totally agree. At times today Huddersfield looked the more likely to score. However, teams have to win these types of games in order to make the PL top-4, and that is what Arsenal did today!

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