Alex Iwobi: Everyone is happy at Arsenal, but we must stay confident

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Tom Doyle9 August 2016

Alex Iwobi has talked up the team spirit in the Arsenal camp ahead of the new Premier League season, but says the Gunners must find a way to keep their confidence high to challenge for trophies.

Arsene Wenger's side impressed in their final pre-season game against Manchester City, beating Pep Guardiola's side 3-2 thanks to goals from Theo Walcott, Iwobi and Chuba Akpom.

Arsenal will be looking to go one better this season after finishing second behind champions Leicester, with a post-Christmas slump in form leading to the end of their title challenge.

Gunner left-back Nacho Monreal said last month that Wenger's players lacked 'hunger' and consistency as Leicester surged to the title, though the Gunners finished the campaign strongly to snatch second from north London rivals Tottenham.

Iwobi says the mood in the squad is strong for the start of the new campaign against Liverpool on Sunday, but called on his team-mates to keep their spirits high for the whole season.

"We have done very well in our [pre-season] games," the Nigeria striker told Arsenal's official website.

"We just need to use that confidence throughout the season. We’re all good, everyone’s good, everyone’s smiling and everyone’s happy. Now we’re just looking forward to the season."

Iwobi could feature prominently for Arsenal at the start of the season given Olivier Giroud's lack of match fitness and Wenger's search for an experienced striker coming up short so far - and the 20-year-old is determined for game time after impressing during the 2015/16 run-in.

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"The challenge for me is to play as many games as I can, and to try to use the opportunities that I get," he said. "Hopefully, like today, I can try to get as many goals and assists as I can."

Regarding his goal against City, Iwobi added: "When Theo made that run I started sprinting for my life. I wanted to get that goal, so when it came across and saw it come to my feet I thought, ‘I have to take my chance and make sure I hit the target’. Luckily for me it went in."

Iwobi's team-mate Akpom also netted against City, and ended pre-season as the Gunners' top scorer.

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Like Iwobi, Akpom is looking for more experience and minutes, saying: "It feels good to help your team win. The main thing is to gain fitness.

"The main thing for me is to make the most out of every opportunity and hopefully I’ve done that this pre-season.

"[City] were a strong side full of experienced internationals, so it was never going to be easy.

"Even if it was a pre-season game, we still treated it like a Premier League game and took it seriously. I’m glad we won."

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