Arsenal has a massive London derby to win this weekend. Having failed to win their last three league games, the Gunners must defeat their local rivals Chelsea to maintain their league title hopes.
There’s many expectations for that game. One of the expectations is that the Arsenal attack will perform flawlessly. For that, coach Mikel Arteta needs to play a creative-minded midfielder to pull the strings for his attack. So if Martin Odegaard does not start, Ethan Nwaneri must start against Chelsea.
Whilst there’s been criticism of Leandro Trossard’s perfomance Wednesday night in that 1-0 loss to Inter Milan, there’s been praise for what Nwaneri, who replaced him, did in the final minutes of that game.
Nwaneri vs. Inter Milan
Minutes 9
Touches 9
Passes 9/10
Dribbles 1/2
After the Hale End star’s introduction, we certainly saw a change in the team’s attacking play; his ability to receive, turn, and drive fired us up, making the team less predictable. Him breaking through and Odegaard’s return gives Arteta’s game plan what it’s been missing. Everyone saw the spark in the short time Nwaneri and Odegaard were on the pitch.
These players can win games for you, and one should start on Sunday. Central creativity is paramount against Chelsea; we can’t continue counting on crosses and defensive fortitude. That being said, Nwaneri narrowly missed his big moment at the San Siro after skimming a shot over the bar during injury time.
But his cameo only emphasized what a game-changer he is; unlike those who were on the pitch, he demanded the ball often while displaying sharp touches. He’s one of those players who makes things happen.
Arteta said Nwaneri’s wings ought not to be clipped; he can do that by unleashing the teenager. Given Arsenal’s lack of creativity in the final third, Mikel Arteta can only justify Nwaneri not starting on Sunday, if Odegaard starts.
Daniel O
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Why not? Give him a go.
I would as well.
He doesn’t appear to have any nerves about being on the big stage.
The gaffer have quietly box himself in a corner as a result of his stubbornness and poor management.
This kid should have been heavily involved before now
“Poor management”? Is this the same “gaffer” that you thought was playing clever “mind games” with Inter in his pre-match press conference remarks? Hang on, perhaps not so clever after all?
Givw Nwaneri more minutes. He’s readier than Trossard at this moment
If that kid had started all the games since Odegard’s injury,I have a feeling that we would have worn all the matches.But I don’t know what Arteta is trying to do.I think that boy should just join Man u if he wants to save his future.Under Arteta there is no chance if you are from academy however good you might be.
For right now Nanweri should start some two to three games over Odegard to avoid some injury setback.But this again cannot happen under Arteta.Some times we fans can also spot what works for our team even if we are considered to be knowing nothing.
Ethan won’t start until the next Carabao cup game. The Gaffer doesn’t trust kids, if not, he would have played him against Cherries and Southampton. He is also too stubborn to accept he was wrong not to have played the kid earlier
He’s certainly due (and worth) a Premier League start, which I’m sure will come anytime soon or when Arteta & his coaches think the time is right😂.
Elsewhere I’ve been reading that Arsenal are going to offer him an excellent new deal.
Team v Chelsea 4 2 3 1
Raya
White. Saliba gab timber
Partey. Jorginho
Nwaneri
SAKA. Martinelle
Havaretz