IWOBI’S GUNNER FANCY IT
ALEX IWOBI faces former club Arsenal today hoping to make a bigger impact than the last time he played them.
The reverse fixture at Goodison Park just before Christmas could hardly have been more important for the Everton striker.
Watching in the stands after just being appointed was Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti – and Iwobi was keen to justify the £34million handed over to the Gunners for him in the summer.
But after just 12 minutes he was making his way off with a damaged hamstring – an injury which would keep him out for six weeks.
Iwobi recalled: “I’d never been injured before so I’m thinking, ‘Why against Arsenal
CARLO ANCELOTTI believes he must build on Everton’s reputation as the People’s Club to bring the glory days back to Goodison.
The former Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-germain, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich coach has been given a brief to deliver owner Farhad Moshiri’s grand design for the Merseyside club.
But as Ancelotti sets his sights on qualifying for Europe – thanks to a run that has realised 17 points in his first eight matches – the Italian stressed the importance of retaining Everton’s identity moving forward.
It was David Moyes who first hailed the Blues as the People’s Club – and Ancelotti said: “Here at Everton, we are a family – and I think the spirit we have is very strong.
“There is a really powerful sense of belonging at this club and this team.
“You have players like Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines and Tom Davies who have a sense of what it means to play for Everton.
“And sometimes, to have success at a club, you have to have that sense of belonging.
“Look at some of the most important teams in the history of football – like Barcelona and Milan – who built their success on having some players at the club with a strong sense of belonging.
“Most of their players came from their academy. I think the spirit here is really good and that is very important. I believe in this. It is better to work for your family rather than a company.”
But while the Italian has a longterm vision for the club, he is loathe to tell the players who have done him proud so far that their futures are on the line.
The Merseysiders travel to Arsenal today at the start of a run of games that will define their season. They face Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Leicester and Tottenham.
Ancelotti said: “I tell the players that they play only for the present – because that is the only way to play for your future.”
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is also facing a fight to deliver European football next season.
But while Ancelotti has worked at some of Europe’s biggest clubs he insists the Spaniard’s knowledge of the game gives him a solid base.
He said: “When you start, you don’t have experience – but I don’t think that is important. It is more important to have knowledge and the fact Arteta did his study with a manager like Pep Guardiola means he has a lot of knowledge.” and with the new manager watching?’.”
After scoring twice in his first three Everton games the 23-year-old has now gone 18 matches without a goal.
To help him through the drought he’s focusing on wisdom instilled at Arsenal by his one-time Under-18s coach Thierry Henry, and current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
“Mikel was a big influence
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– he was injured at the time and would play and train with the Under-21s. He would talk to me, telling me to get on the half-turn, stay alert and sharp, ready to make an impact.”
Iwobi is the nephew of former Nigeria star Jay-jay Okocha, and added: “Uncle Jay-jay told me to enjoy playing. If you make a mistake, try again. I have stuck by that – and I will never hide.”