Ian Wright has revealed he would love for Arsenal to re-sign a flop that they sold for £40million just three years ago.
The Gunners legend has been impressed with the form of Alex Iwobi this season after the Nigeria international was converted into a central midfielder by Everton manager Frank Lampard. Iwobi spent 15 years with Arsenal, coming through the club’s famed academy before breaking into the first team at the age of 19 in 2015.
However, he was offloaded to the Toffees in 2019 after falling out of favour under Unai Emery during the Spaniard’s only full season as Gunners boss.
Now, though, Wright is calling for his former club to make a move for the 26-year-old in January following his resurgence so far this campaign.
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast, via the Daily Mail, he explained: “I’m so pleased with the way it’s going for him. I remember Arsenal fans, it’s the same thing they did with Oxlade-Chamberlain, they ridiculed him.
“His ball progression and work rate, what Frank has now recognised him and put him there, listen to the Everton fans when he’s doing his work, they are adoring him now. I’m loving the way it’s working out for Iwobi. Everton fans are now starting to realise that if they get the right players in and around him, he’s going to be a force for them.
“You look at his work rate, it’s unbelievable. It’s the kind of intensity that Mikel wants now and needs now, we need that, we need somebody who can press like that.”
Iwobi was almost exclusively used as a winger in his 149 Arsenal appearances, scoring 15 times and providing 27 assists for his team-mates. He was also occasionally deployed behind the striker as part of a four-man attack.
He continued to play as a winger prior to Lampard’s arrival at Goodison Park but has since been moved into central midfield, where he has flourished.
A bright spark despite Everton’s slow start to the season, Iwobi has played every minute so far this season and provided two assists for his team-mates. The Toffees remain winless in the Premier League after six matches but are unbeaten in their last four league games, including a goalless draw against Liverpool last time out.
