Arsene Wenger wants new signing Mohamed Elneny to be more physical

With reported setbacks for Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere, and with Theo Walcott struggling for form, Iwobi provides Wenger with another option in his squad, and the Arsenal manager has been impressed with what he’s seen so far this season.

Arsene Wenger reckons England have missed out on a potential star in young Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi, who has opted to represent Nigeria on the global stage.

“If you are [able to play] in different positions it gives you more of a chance to play and having the knowledge where you want the ball in different positions”. 180 million people, a big history.

The Gunners did complete some business, managing to prize Mohamed Elneny away from Basel, with the Egyptian making his debut in the FA Cup win over Burnley on Saturday. “Okocha is a top legend there and so is (former Arsenal striker Nwankwo) Kanu”.

Speaking to Arsenal’s website after the game, Wenger said: I think he has to adapt to the power side of the game but he has shown interesting ingredients like game intelligence, mobility and technical ability and had some good shots.

“And when I don’t play I take it on the chin”. I find him personally very interesting. He’s very clever. I like the timing and the quality of his decision-making.

“He is a boy who, two years ago, not many would have said he [will make it]”.

“I think it would help him a lot to see the quality of the players around him. But then Nigeria called him up for the first team to force him to go”, Wenger added. I want to be in the first team, I want to be in the squad as soon as possible and I’m training as hard as I can, learning.

Coincidentally, the only other goal of the versatile youngster’s career came in Burnley’s previous visit to Emirates Stadium, a 3-0 defeat in the Premier League last season. “I still watch the boys, support the boys and that’s what you have to do”.