Arsenal should play Alex Iwobi above Aaron Ramsey on Saturday
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Arsenal should give Alex Iwobi a chance to start against Watford in the Premier League on Saturday, dropping midfielder Aaron Ramsey to the bench.
What’s the situation?
Even though he picked up two assists in the win against Everton last weekend, Ramsey has generally struggled to hit the ground running this season and his current form is a worrying sight for all Arsenal fans and a major worry for manager Unai Emery.
A reason for this could be his new official position of playing in the number 10 role under Emery, with Mesut Ozil operating on the wing, but due to the Welshman’s attacking capabilities playing in that position should not be a problem for him and he has been used there before.
Of course, the 27-year-old’s future at the club is also uncertain with the latest reports suggesting that the north London outfit have pulled out of negotiations, with the former Cardiff City man set to leave either in January or for nothing next summer.
Why Iwobi for him?
Since starting against Chelsea and West Ham United in the earlier rounds of the Premier League, Iwobi has been used as a substitute by Emery, with Alexandre Lacazette taking his direct place in the team and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang playing off the wing.
If Ramsey gets dropped, then Iwobi could be used on the wing again, with Mesut Ozil moving back to his preferred cental role on the pitch. As Aubameyang is able to play on both wings, Emery could put him, Ozil and Iwobi behind Lacazette, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
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The Nigerian performed well when he started against Vorskla in the Europa League last week and looked lively when he came on for Aubameyang against Everton on Sunday.
With a great run going in the Premier League, Arsenal can’t afford any weak links in the team and will need to be at their very best week in, and week out. The uncertainty of Ramsey’s future and his current form could jeopardise a period in the season where Arsenal could pick up valuable points with winnable fixtures against the Hornets, Fulham and Leicester City coming up.