Arsenal’s Unai Emery explains Alex Iwobi’s substitution

The Nigerian forward was paraded for 45 minutes before he was replaced as Arsenal recorded their third successive draw in the English top-flight. 

Arsenal coach Unai Emery has explained his reason to replace Alex Iwobi as 'a tactical change' in their 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers in Sunday’s Premier League game.

Second-half substitute Henrikh Mkhitaryan leveled for the hosts to earned a point to keep their unbeaten run intact after Ivan Cavaleiro's opener in the 13th minute. 

However, Iwobi earned a starting role against Wolves at the Emirates Stadium, making his ninth league appearance this season after coming off the bench to assist Alexandre Lacazette in their 1-1 draw against Liverpool last Saturday. 

The 22-year-old was substituted for Matteo Guendouzi at the start of the second half with the Gunners trailing by a goal.

And Emery has revealed that a switch in their style of play against a high-intensity Wolves was the reason for the Nigerian’s replacement.

When addressing the club website, Emery said: “It was a tactical decision. We needed to have our right and left backs play deeper and win back more possession inside with Kolasinac and Bellerin.”

“Sometimes, we created chances to score when we did this situation well. Defensively, their work was good because their block was very high."

In the Gunners' impressive unbeaten run of 16 games, Iwobi who has provided four assists and a goal, will aim to help the Super Eagles secure a berth in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations when they play away to South Africa on Saturday.