Arsene Wenger expects more to come from Alex Iwobi, suggesting the midfielder needs to improve his assist-making and goal-getting.

The 21-year-old is looking to win back his place in the Arsenal first team after a difficult end to last season. He started the last campaign well, but faded as the months went on. Wenger, though, was keen to remind people that Iwobi is a top talent and that there’s a lot more to come from him.

“I like the fact that he can play in tight areas, that he turns the game forwards, that he’s very mobile,” he told Arsenal Player. “We forget sometimes that Alex is still a very young player; there must be a lot more to come from him because he has more personality in the game now.

“We expect him to be more efficient in the final third offensively, because you feel there are goals in there and assists too. They have to come out. Add that to the fact that he allows the team to play very well and he will be a top-class player.” 

Iwobi had a bright pre-season, scoring against Bayern Munich and Benfica, and recently started in the 0-0 draw against Chelsea. His only other Premier League appearance came as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat at Stoke. He started in the opening Europa League fixture against Cologne.

This isn’t the first time his lack of end product has been mentioned. The Nigerian does take up good positions, but often lacks the finishing touch. He scored just four goals in 38 appearances last season.

Iwobi emerged as a technically proficient and intelligent attacking-midfielder when he was 19 and is seen as the deputy to Mesut Ozil. He has 11 caps for Nigeria and scored his first goal for them last season against Zambia.