Ethan Nwaneri: Arsenal’s Young Star Could Play as a Striker, Says Mikel Arteta
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta may have a unique solution to his striking woes following the failure to sign a forward in the recent transfer window. With the club short on options up top, Arteta has indicated that Ethan Nwaneri, the 17-year-old sensation, could be an answer to the Gunners’ striker dilemma.
Nwaneri’s Growing Reputation:
Ethan Nwaneri has been one of the most highly-rated young talents at Arsenal for some time now, and he’s been receiving significant praise for his performances whenever he has featured. The attacking midfielder, often deployed in the heart of the Arsenal youth setup, has shown impressive versatility and maturity for his age.
In his most recent appearance for the senior team against Manchester City, Nwaneri grabbed attention once again, scoring a stunning goal during the Gunners’ 5-1 victory. His composed finish and ability to influence the game despite his tender years has earned him rave reviews from both fans and pundits alike.
Arteta’s Praise and Forward Thinking:
Arteta has already spoken about Nwaneri’s potential, calling him a player with “tremendous ability”, and it’s clear that the young star is highly rated at the club. The Arsenal manager has hinted that Nwaneri could be deployed in a more advanced role than his usual position as an attacking midfielder, potentially as a striker.
In the absence of a natural forward signing in January, and with Gabriel Jesus’ injury and Kai Havertz’s inconsistent form, Arteta may be open to experimenting with the teenager in a more central role. This could give the Gunners an extra attacking option, especially considering Nwaneri’s flair, intelligence, and natural goal-scoring instinct, which have already been on display in the Premier League.
The Unconventional Solution:
While Nwaneri is not primarily a striker, his performances and the confidence Arteta has shown in him might encourage the manager to try him as a focal point of the attack. Although it would be an unconventional decision, Arteta has previously been willing to take risks with young players, trusting them with big responsibilities and challenging them to step up.
Nwaneri has all the qualities that could make him a wildcard option up top: pace, technical skill, and a keen eye for goal. If Arteta chooses to use him as a striker, it would be a bold move that could pay off, especially considering the limited alternatives at his disposal.
A New Striking Option?
The move to use Nwaneri as a striker would be a temporary fix to a pressing problem, and it would highlight the trust Arteta has in the young talent coming through the ranks at Arsenal. However, it’s also clear that the club will need to revisit the striker situation in the summer transfer window.
For now, Nwaneri’s potential as a goal-scoring option could be one of the surprises that Arteta’s Arsenal fans will have to look forward to as they push forward in the second half of the season.
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