Arsenal Coach Reveals The Real Reason Why Iwobi Was Not In Squad Against Cardiff

Published: September 02, 2018

Arsenal coach Unai Emery has revealed the real reason why Nigeria international Alex Iwobi was not named in the 18-man squad for Sunday afternoon's Premier League tie at Cardiff City.

Without Iwobi in the team, the Gunners won their second successive game, beating the Bluebirds 3-2, with Shkodran Mustafi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette finding the net at Cardiff City Stadium.

Speaking to Sky Sports just before the start of the game, Emery explained that the Nigerian was not in the traveling party to Wales because of illness.

The Arsenal number seventeen has been named in the latest Super Eagles roster for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles on September 8 and it remains to be seen if he will report for international duty on Tuesday.

Iwobi was a non-playing substitute against Manchester City on the opening day of the 2018-19 season and started against Chelsea and West Ham prior to his illness.

The 22-year-old saw only two minutes of action in Nigeria's last two competitive matches against Iceland and Argentina but played 62 minutes in the 2-0 loss to Croatia.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com