News

January 11, 2018

Arsenal legend blasts Wenger over Iwobi

Arsenal legend blasts Wenger over Iwobi

Iwobi

Former Arsenal legendary striker, Ian Wright said coach Arsene Wenger was wrong to have played Alex Iwobi against Chelsea in their Caraboa Cup semi-final after the player was reported to be partying ahead of Arsenal’s FA Cup loss to Nottingham Forest.

Iwobi

Wright accused Wenger of displaying lacking “leadership” by taking a weak stance on the issue.

The young midfielder was caught on a video dancing and screaming at a flat in Soho, allegedly at 2.37am the day before Arsenal’s 4-2 FA Cup loss at Nottingham Forest.

Iwobi, 21, played in that game – and was also selected for Wednesday’s goalless Carabao Cup semi-final first leg with Chelsea.

Wright was furious, insisting Wenger’s decisions send the wrong message to players and only serve to make the club a ‘joke’.

He told Sky Sports: “In the current climate, for a young player to go out and do that with Arsenal going through what they’re going through now…

“Experienced players wanting to leave, there’s no leadership — Arsene Wenger should have made a better stance on this.

“Because Arsenal have got to find what we are losing at the moment. People laugh at us — they see it as a bit of a joke with what’s going on at the moment — players don’t want to be there.

“It just feels like we are losing control.”

Iwobi was selected ahead of Theo Walcott, for instance, and Wright said: “What’s it saying to Theo?

“He’s got a youngster that’s gone out less than 48 hours before the game, still plays in that game, plays in this game and you can’t get a game in front of him.

“You’ve got to start thinking about your own future.”

He added: “I think (Jose) Mourinho wouldn’t have that. I don’t think a Man United player would (go out 48 hours before a game).