Arsenal have reportedly held ‘successful talks’ over signing Yannick Carrasco on loan this month with a view to landing him in the summer.
The Belgium ace left Atletico Madrid for Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang last February and is keen on a return to Europe.
Gunners boss Unai Emery is known to want a new winger in the January transfer window and his interest in Carrasco could spell bad news for Alex Iwobi.
Iwobi has enjoyed his football this season and improved since Emery’s Emirates arrival but a deal for Carrasco would likely see his playing opportunities cut.
So should Arsenal be looking to shake-up things on their wing and replace Iwobi with Carrasco?
Yannick Carrasco vs Alex Iwobi: Age and longevity
Carrasco turned 25 years old in September and would bring a wealth of experience to Arsenal having starred for Monaco, Atletico and the Belgium national side over the last six years.
A short-term loan would give the Gunners the chance to see if he can recapture his best or if his spell in China has been damaging.
The Arsene Wenger Arsenal era invested a lot of time and effort into Iwobi’s development, with the winger having joined the club while still at primary school.
He has arguably shown his best form since Emery took over but the Spaniard could be ruthless and dump the academy ace as he continues to shape his squad.
Yannick Carrasco vs Alex Iwobi: Record in recent years
Carrasco’s 20 goals in 105 Monaco appearances secured him an £18m move to Atletico in July 2015. In Spain he scored 23 in 123 before making his surprise move to the Far East.
After his breakthrough season at Arsenal in 2015/16, Iwobi has scored nine times in 98 games for the north Londoners over the last three campaigns. He was part of the Gunners squad that claimed glory in the 2017 FA Cup final.
Yannick Carrasco vs Alex Iwobi: Record this season
Carrasco played 25 of Dalian Yifang’s 30 CSL games as they finished 11th in the table last season. He scored seven goals and provided nine assists.
Iwobi has been one of Arsenal’s best wide options this season, scoring twice and assisting five more in 18 Premier League appearances.
Yannick Carrasco vs Alex Iwobi: On the international stage
Despite his move to China, Carrasco was part of Belgium’s squad for last summer’s World Cup as they beat England to finish third.
To date, he has notched five goals in 31 caps for his country.
Iwobi played for England’s youth sides before electing to represent Nigeria on the international scene.
He was also at the World Cup but the Super Eagles failed to make it out of their group. He has five goals in 21 caps.
