Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may want to consider giving young Ethan Nwaneri a chance to start against Newcastle United this Saturday.
Following Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Preston North End in the Carabao Cup, Nwaneri’s performance was one of the standout moments, as the 17-year-old played in the number 10 role and scored a spectacular curling goal from the edge of the box. He nearly added another with a shot that hit the woodwork, finishing the game with an impressive 98% passing accuracy and five goal attempts.
Arteta praised Nwaneri’s talent and work ethic after the game, calling him a “big talent” with the right mindset. This display raises the question of whether Arteta should give him a shot in Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League match at St. James’ Park, especially considering the team’s recent struggles with creativity in Martin Odegaard’s absence due to injury.
So far, Arteta has opted to start Leandro Trossard in Odegaard’s role, but Trossard has been inconsistent when starting games. Known for making an impact off the bench, Trossard might be more effective as a substitute. In contrast, Nwaneri has shown maturity and composure that suggests he’s ready to make his Premier League debut.
Arteta could experiment with Nwaneri in the starting lineup and still have options to make changes if needed. Furthermore, Odegaard is nearing his return and could even be included in the squad this weekend, though he may not be fit to start. This scenario gives Arteta the flexibility to use Nwaneri without risking the team’s overall setup.
Nwaneri’s performance has sparked excitement among fans and pundits alike, and giving him a Premier League start could be the ideal opportunity to test his readiness at the highest level.
Arsenal has little to lose with this approach, as it could bring fresh energy to the squad against a tough opponent like Newcastle while continuing to develop one of their most promising young talents.