The turnaround in the form of Alex Iwobi at Arsenal this season has been largely credited to the coaching method of the new manager at Arsenal Unai Emery by several who have watched him this season.
Once viewed by many as one who might struggle to fit into the plans of Emery, who took over from Arsene Wenger who gave Iwobi his breakthrough at Arsenal, the Nigeria international is now among the first names on the team sheets for games this season.
Emery has not hidden his preference for the Nigerian ahead of some established players in his team and according to Iwobi’s childhood friend Ola Aina the manager has given Iwobi the freedom he didn’t have in the team last season.
Aina who is on a season long loan to Torino from English Premier League side Chelsea made this known in an interview with Owngoalnigeria.com, when we sought to know if he is in the know about what has transformed the career of Iwobi who is also his teammate at national team level with Nigeria.
“I know Alex very well, we grew up together from a young age, went to the same school, we lived on same road for many years, so am very close to him and his family. They are people who might have thought Emery would will keep him on the bench. The type of player Alex is, he’s very resilient and he believes in his ability and you can see it on the pitch”, Aina told Owngoalnigeria.com.
“Very free in his play now, I think that’s one thing the Arsenal manager ( Emery) has given him this season. He is playing very well and very free and that’s personal what I know about his new found form.
“A player like Alex if you give him the freedom to play and create that’s what’s happening at Arsenal now. It has also helped him on the international stage, so it’s a plus, plus for everyone”, he concluded.
