With a new manager at the helm, Arsenal’s players will need to fight for a place in the first team by impressing prior to the start of the season.
For a number of those players, they have an opportunity to catch Unai Emery’s eye during the World Cup in Russia, but in Alex Iwobi’s case, he may have harmed his chances of first-team action.
The 22-year-old, who is valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, started for Nigeria in Saturday’s Group D match against Croatia, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for Iwobi’s side.
The Arsenal man played out wide, but was largely ineffective and eventually was substituted in the 62nd minute to make way for Ahmed Musa.
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Last season for the Gunners, Iwobi made 38 appearances in all competitions but only contributed with three goals and created seven for his teammates.
The attacker’s playing position has been debated many times, with some suggesting that he is much more effective when selected as a striker rather than a wide man.
This discussion was raised by Arsenal fans following Nigeria’s defeat to Croatia, as was his overall performance.
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