Speaking before Arsenal’s game against Brighton on Sunday, Alex Iwobi has said he does not focus on negative fans and is hopeful of sealing fourth place.

Arsenal's Nigerian striker Alex Iwobi controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 11, 2018. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Nigerian striker Alex Iwobi controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 11, 2018. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

It seems to be an unwritten law of football that every club must have at least one player who annoys their own fans and, with Aaron Ramsey set to depart, it looks like Alex Iwobi could be about to take his place.

Still only 23, the Nigerian comes in for excessive criticism from a section of the fanbase but admits he doesn’t focus on that.

“Hopefully we can achieve that [top four],” Iwobi told Planet Sport Football Africa.

“We will try to focus on ourselves and it is looking very achievable. We just have to concentrate.

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“Hopefully we will be able to get that top four for the team, the players and the fans as well.

“I am meant to be strong and obviously everybody has his own opinion, I don’t really look at that one,” he added about his critics.

“I try to dwell on the positive and not dwell on the negative as much as I can. If I make a mistake I try to use it as a lesson and try to improve on it. We have a lot of good fans as well.

“They are entitled to their own opinion and I am happy with the progress I have made this season. I have been able to get more goals than I had in the previous season and I have had a few assists.

“As long as I am progressing and trying to do my best for the team that is what really matters.”

Iwobi has five goals and seven assists this season which isn’t a great return but only Alexandre Lacazette has double figures for assists this season. That being said, Iwobi has featured in more Arsenal games this season than any other player (48 from 50 squad appearances). Only Laca (12), Sead Koalasinc (9), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (8) and Aaron Ramsey (8) have provided more assists.

Despite featuring in 48 games this season, Iwobi has only completed 90 minutes 10 times.

I’m writing this before the game against Brighton so by the time you read this we might well be out of the top four race if we’ve carried on our league form where we left off last week. 

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