Ethan Nwaneri has seamlessly slotted into the Arsenal right wing in the absence of Bukayo Saka, giving the Gunners a dependable option as they wait for their injured star to return.
For several seasons, Saka has been Arsenal’s talisman, delivering match-winning performances and consistently proving why he is one of the best wingers in the Premier League. His absence was expected to cause significant problems for Mikel Arteta’s team, but Nwaneri’s emergence has softened that blow.
The similarities between the two are striking. Both were nurtured at Arsenal’s Hale End academy, both are left-footed wingers who excel on the right flank, and both have an innate ability to create and score goals. While Arsenal knew Nwaneri was a talented prospect, they may not have realised they already had a natural successor to Saka within their ranks.
Nwaneri has been a revelation since stepping into the first team, showing a level of confidence and composure beyond his years. His technical ability, dribbling, and decision-making have drawn widespread praise, and he has quickly established himself as a key player. His performances have ensured that Arsenal have not missed Saka as much as they might have feared.
However, Saka is expected to return soon, and that presents Arteta with a welcome dilemma. It would be harsh to immediately bench Nwaneri after his brilliant displays, yet dropping Saka is unthinkable given his importance to the team. This situation may force Arteta to find a new role for Nwaneri, either by rotating the two players more frequently or by adjusting his tactical setup to accommodate both in the starting XI.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown is fascinated by how Arteta will handle this situation, but he believes this is the kind of problem every manager dreams of having. Speaking on the BBC, he said:
“Where will he end up playing? It’s a nice problem when Bukayo Saka gets back fit.
“He was immense, coming back off the line, stepping in. He looks so assured, his decision-making is different class.”
Nwaneri has shown he belongs at this level, and his performances make a strong case for continued involvement. Whether as a regular starter or an impact substitute, he has proven he deserves to keep playing and developing within this Arsenal team.
ADMIN COMMENT
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He can play the Odegard role too. He can be starting for Saka and Odegard every third game and be coming in as a substitute too. There should be enough minutes for him to keep developing.
Nwaneri can be false 9 and potentially better than saka in long term
In the future Nwaneri
can cover for (& compete with)
both Saka & Odegaard.
.
At present there are only
Sterling, Trossard & Nwaneri
are available across
the front three.
.
Arsenal have lots of defenders
& five midfielders.
.
They need to use some of these players
further forward..
to provide other options up front.
He should play as a striker.
I have been calling for Nwaneri to start games
from Southampton visited the Emirates.
Had the gaffer not been so stubborn, maybe the injury to Saka would have been avoided,
Forget about Raphinna and a certainmysterywingerfromWolves, Nwaneri started his first premier league game on New year day against Brentford, his full league debut on the right wing in place of current absentee and star player Saka.
While still young and raw, his man of the match performance against the foxes yesterday showed that he’s more than capable of stepping up to Arsenal talisman Bujaya Saka.
It’s silly to talk of “stubbornness” simply because the manager does not do the things you want. Or making claims based on hindsight.
Nwaneri has been given minutes in a number of games which is actually a reasonable approach to giving a very young player opportunities. It is also important to remember that Nwaneri himself has also been out with injury this season.
Nwaneri is a great talent but now there is already a risk that he will be overplayed this season.
Nwaneri can also play as a striker. That will not be a problem. Arteta should know how to fix it. I really want Arsenal to win the Premier League this season and make us happy. Good luck to Arsenal!
All things work for Good though.
Let’s hope Harvatz and Saka will ba back next month so his time will be well managed.
That been said, Arsenal should arrest Sterling for even agreeing to play attack🤣🤣🤣🤣.
Chelsea just made a full of Arteta.
That’s the worst player I have seen in a long time.
I almost wanted to believe his loan deal didn’t Involve money.
And it’s not just in one game.
Nwaneri, raw and reliable.
Rotate the 2 of them regularly.
Rest Saka often now that we have an option to avoid more injuries.
Arteta, please, keep both of them fit always.
This is an order.
Thank you
Arteta must follow his teacher’s way of life rather than that of Arsene Wenger. Guardiola rotates players. That was the reason for 6 Premiership titles in 7 seasons! Arsene Wenger doesn’t rotate : He buys the best eleven on earth and deliberately brings in another worst eleven who will be happy on the bench. When one or two of those his best eleven got injured, the team collapse. He has mentored Arteta into those poor management system – Arteta always call Wenger. Three seasons ago we lost Partey and lost Champions league qualification, two seasons ago we lost Saliba and lost the league..
The technical board must sell all those Kiwior, Vieira and all other average players this Summer, replace them with world class players, two in each position. If Arteta can’t rotate, then we get another coach that can do that, maybe Iraola.
It’s not a problem. Most 17 years olds dont play week-in-week out. He can rotate with Saka and Odegaard, and is even a viable option to outright start over Odegaard. (Saka still remains by far the lynchpin of this entire squad).
I believe the coach is doing a good job, he only needs to rotate and rest his players and promote the academy players who fir into the philosophy of the team and much cheaper