Arteta with Nwaneri

Arteta praises Nwaneri despite Newcastle loss – Should he start against Inter Milan?

After a 1-0 loss to Newcastle, Arsenal hopes to react, and what better way to do so than by defeating Inter Milan at the San Siro? The match against Newcastle highlighted Arsenal’s lack of creativity and their struggles without Martin Odegaard‘s contributions.

Going to the Inter Milan game with the same starting lineup will be shocking. Arteta needs to implement changes and infuse his team with creativity. If Martin Odegaard is not available, it is obvious who Arteta should look at for creativity.

For weeks, we’ve suggested that Ethan Nwaneri should be the one to fill in for Odegaard, given Arteta let Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe go as he thought the teenager was ready, but the Arsenal technical bench hasn’t hinted they feel so.

In the match against Preston, the Hale End star led Arsenal’s attack, causing chaos in the Championship side’s defense with nearly every play he executed. Given the physical and aggressive nature of Newcastle’s midfield, it’s understandable that the teenager didn’t start, but ultimately, his introduction was necessary to attempt orchestrating something in the final third.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have the brightest of cameos, but he showed his intent. The 17-year-old midfielder has made headlines for his extraordinary skill and maturity on the field, and Arteta feels he has the potential to shine at one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs.

If the Arsenal manager believes this, it would be understandable for him to start Nwaneri against Inter if Odegaard was unavailable.

After the Newcastle game, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his admiration for Nwaneri, telling Arsenal.com, “He needs to see that he can fly and don’t clip any wings.

“At 17 years old, to be in a position like he is in at one of the biggest clubs in Europe, I think sums up really well the level that he has.”

Arteta after Newcastle game
NOVEMBER 02: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks on after the team’s defeat in the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Arsenal FC at St James’ Park (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s next starting lineup cannot include Leandro Trossard, who had a poor performance against Newcastle. With Serie A teams not as intense as those in the Premier League, Nwaneri’s outstanding technical talent would shine bright against Inter.

A creative midfielder is essential for success (as demonstrated on Saturday). Every team in the world requires a player who can receive the ball and make those key passes; it is tricky to win games without it.

All Gooners agree we’re missing Odegaard, but Nwaneri is clearly the next best choice. Arteta, please, trust the boy.

Sam P


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11 Comments

  1. I’m getting sick of hearing Arteta wax lyrical about Nwaneri and then continually benching him.

    He did the same with Smith Row, and we all saw what happened there didn’t we.

    Start playing Nwaneri from the start, he can hardly do worse than the current joker’s can he.

    As the saying goes, if your good enough, your old enough.

    1. You said my mind. Ma is just deceiving those who wants to be deceived. EN started 2 games and did well in both but doesn’t deserve to start but “he’s pushing”
      I fill MA, Zinchenko & GJ have done their best, but their best can’t deliver the trophies we crave for. The earlier we understand, the better for us, if we truly want to end nearly syndrome

  2. He had half an hour yesterday and wasn’t able to make an impression, but that’s probably due to his team mates not giving him the ball too often. I doubt that he’ll start against Inter, but I’m sure he’ll get some game time, and again against Chelsea.

  3. I have been suggesting starting the kid from the Southampton game and haven’t changed my stance, despite a few ranting.

    The question must now be ask, if not now when ?

  4. Yes, because Havertz can’t cut inside and make diagonal passes as Odegaard did

    I believe Zinchenko can do playmaking from the right wing as good as Odegaard, but Zinchenko doesn’t have Odegaard’s and Nwaneri’s high stamina to do high-press

    Havertz will be more useful in the CF position

  5. Why not? Arteta must try something to get Arsenal out of this ever-lengthening run of disappointing games (performances and/or results).

    Home wins against a very average PSG and a poor Shakhtar don’t fill me with a lot of confidence for the trip to San Siro – and that was before the latest setback. In normal circumstances it may not be the best place to use Nwaneri from the start, but we’re not in normal circumstances. Whether Arteta will or not remains to be seen though. I think it’s 50/50 at best.

  6. Maybe we could start him against Inter, it isn’t the prem, he wouldn’t be targeted and the CL is a little more technical than the prem. Where it can be rough and tumble. BUT Arteta needs to get the team balance right first. Playing Haverz up top, Trossard in the hole and a proper RB (not Partey) would be a start. Merino, is a tough one, he is a top player but he is taking longer to settle in. The big problem is the RB isn’t overlapping Saka anymore and the left side, is producing nothing, while also not looking solid.

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