How well has forward fared in his first full season at Arsenal

Iwobi was promoted to the Arsenal senior team towards the end of the 2015/2016 season and show glimpses of his talent. Bring on 2016/2017.

At the beginning of the season, Iwobi was brilliant for Arsenal, playing at the left side of a front three that was cutting through defences like it was nothing.

“I'm impressed with the young boy Alex Iwobi,” Football great Alex Ferguson said in an interview with German magazine, in October.

At the first half of the season, Iwobi was a revelation, playing with a poise and composure above his age.

It was hard not to notice Iwobi at that time. The fluidity, creativity and directness he brought to Arsenal kept them going.

Their form hit a snag in December when they lost two consecutive league games against Everton and Manchester City. He remained in the team that recovered with wins against Crystal Palace, West Brom, Swansea and Burnley.

Arsenal annual title collapse started in January and sadly Iwobi had no answers at that time. He crumbled along with his teammates and as Arsene Wenger looked for answers, Iwobi was dropped from the starting XI after the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in March.

He spent a couple of games on the bench before he was gradually eased back into the team.

After Arsenal’s final league game of the season he took to Twitter to write; "Learnt a lot this season and still learning! Well done boys."

It has sure been a mixed season for Iwobi at Arsenal, smooth at the beginning, tough in the middle- very tough and at ease towards the end.

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Like he wrote on Twitter, Iwobi still has a lot to learn. Arsenal fans still have a problem with his defending, especially when the team is under pressure. He still has to sort out his best position.

Despite playing on the left, Iwobi is known to always cut inside the midfield where he is sometimes more devastating. His quick feet and incisive passing make him very suitable for the No. 10 position where he impressed for Arsenal in two games- the home wins over Crystal Palace and West Brom in the festive season.

He has also played in the middle for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

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Iwobi still has to develop the mental toughness that characterises great players. The way he lost his focus during Arsenal’s collapse was frightening. It’ is however, understandable for a young player to have difficulties coping with the pressure and abuse he suffered from Arsenal fans.

Iwobi has one more game before he concludes his first season at Arsenal. A game that bears so much importance on a short and long term.

FA Cup glory is at stake as Arsenal take on Premier League winners Chelsea on Saturday, May 27 at Wembley.

While the FA Cup is at stake on that day, the result of that final could have a huge effect on Iwobi’s future because of Arsene Wenger.

ALSO READ: Alex Iwobi wants more respect for Arsene Wenger

Iwobi owes his career to Wenger, the man solely responsible for promoting him to Arsenal’s first team and put him in the starting XI almost immediately. Wenger on his own is under immense pressure at Arsenal and might need the FA Cup to keep his job.

No matter how it turns out on Saturday and subsequently with Wenger, Iwobi has built a solid impression on his career with his debut season.