Football
Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent 7y

Arsenal's Alex Iwobi: 'A great feeling' to finally score again against Basel

Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi says it was "a great feeling" to finally end his goal drought after scoring in the 4-1 win over Basel in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Iwobi, 20, netted his first goal of the season -- and his first since April -- to make it 4-0 in Basel after Lucas Perez had scored a hat trick for the Gunners as they clinched first place in Group A ahead of Paris Saint-Germain.

And while the game may already have been decided by then, the goal itself could give the Nigerial international a crucial confidence boost as he has struggled with his finishing this season and had been dropped by Arsene Wenger for recent games.

"It's felt like a long time coming and it's always a great feeling to score a goal," Iwobi told Arsenal's official website.

He also paid tribute to Mesut Ozil for creating the opportunity, as the playmaker sent in a low cross that gave him an easy finish.

"I wouldn't say my goal was a cracker but it was a great assist by Mesut," Iwobi said. "I'm just pleased with the team's performance and that we were able to finish top of the group. Having a second leg at home is a big advantage [in the knockout stages] and it gives you the belief that you can do it. However, the Champions League is full of top teams."

Tuesday was an emotional night for Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, who returned to his hometown and the club where he started his professional career, while also coming up against his brother Taulant.

Xhaka left Basel for Borussia Monchengladbach in 2012 and joined Arsenal in a £30 million deal this summer.

"I came home after five years. Here at Basel is where I made my first professional steps, I came up and grew up through the FC Basel school," Xhaka told Arsenal's official website. "Tonight I played against my brother for the third time, and it's always special to play against him."

Xhaka has been eased into the Arsenal side slowly by Wenger but this was his third start in nine days, indicating that the Switzerland international is ready to take on a bigger role in the team.

"Arsenal is a very big club and it's so much fun to play alongside my teammates. I'm really happy here," Xhaka said.

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