ARSENAL v WATFORD
IWOBI: WE CARE FOR CLUB
ALEX IWOBI has defended Arsenal’s dressing room and claimed under-fire Gunners stars care passionately about the club’s plight.
Critics pointed the finger of blame at Arsene Wenger’s stars for not showing any fight.
But, as they face Watford at the Emirates today, Nigerian midfielder Iwobi has hit back.
“I know the players – and they lead by example in the team,” said 21-year-old Iwobi (right).
“Obviously, people in the media speak a lot when things aren’t going right, but we, as players, do communicate with each other. Maybe it doesn’t come across as being loud on the pitch – and you don’t see it as much – but we do speak when things aren’t going as well as planned.
“We know we can do better in defence and better in attack.
“The key thing is to find a way to defend and attack all together.
“We have to work on that, we know that, and we have been trying to do that so, hopefully, we will be able to show signs of that togetherness soon.”
Meanwhile, one of Wenger’s former stars and Arsenal Invincible, Lee Dixon, has claimed that it is time for the club’s board to stand up and be counted on the Frenchman’s future.
“Arsene Wenger reviews his position every season, he always has done,” said Dixon.
“I think he’s a winner and he believes he can take the team forward every year. He’s the one that normally makes the decision on his contracts. But I think now the club has to take more of an active part in that.” ARSENE WENGER’S fate as Arsenal boss should have been sealed a year ago when they were humiliated by Bayern Munich.
That is the view of former Arsenal striker Frank Stapleton, who even reckons stubborn Wenger might stay on for the final year of his contract – if he believes it is the right thing to do.
Most Gunners fans are desperate to see the back of the 68- year- old Frenchman after another season of frustration and disappointment.
Arsenal’s campaign has hit the buffers again and is likely to end without Champions League action for next season – unless Wenger’s stars win the Europa League.
That remarkable victory over AC Milan in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday evening might have had an effect on directors.
And many supporters fear Wenger might persuade the board to allow him to see out the final year of his contract next season before ending his long reign in charge.
Some factions at the Emirates are convinced Arsenal’s top brass do not have the bottle to be ruthless and show Wenger the door.
And Stapleton believes the club missed their biggest opportunity exactly a year ago when they were destroyed in the Champions League last-16 by Bayern.
Danger
Stapleton said: “When they lost to Bayern 10-2 on aggregate last season, the signs were there that something was fundamentally wrong. “Arsenal are a big club and shouldn’t be losing by that kind of score – even to a team as good at Bayern Munich. “That was the moment to act because that was the type of result you’d get in the early rounds when a big team hammers a minnow. It was embarrassing. “When they lost 5-1 in each leg, alarm bells should have been ringing for the owners. “The board seem to have ignored sections of the support who want Wenger out – but I think he’s pushing his luck now. “I don’t think anyone at the club would want another season of uncertainty, frustration and unrest, but that’s the danger if they allow him to carry on. “And, all the time that kind of indecision prevails, Arsenal are losing ground to rivals, like Liverpool and Tottenham, who have now overtaken them on a consistent basis – let alone the two Manchester clubs.” Wenger’s defiant stance has alienated many fans who were on his side until the last few months. And, although Stapleton believes Wenger’s refusal to hand over the reins has already tarnished his legacy, the former Highbury attacker believes that won’t be worrying the long-serving Arsenal chief. The Irishman said: “It’s a shame things have got to where they are because Arsenal are still a fantastic club. And it’s a shame