17-year-old Arsenal youngster is ready for his Cesc Fabregas moment in the North London derby - opinion

09/10/2024 08:15 AM

If there was any frustration at Arsenal last season, in what was another excellent campaign overall for the club, it was that Ethan Nwaneri wasn't given his big opportunity.

Football fans are all guilty for wanting their academy gems to be thrown in too early, but even at 17-years-old, Nwaneri seemed ready for the Arsenal first team.

In truth, Mikel Arteta must have agreed, he was the one who decided to give Nwaneri his debut at the age of 15 against Brentford in the Premier League.

But the Spaniard has preferred to stay cautious and patient with Hale End youngsters in general, but that may be about to change.

Alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly in pre-season, Nwaneri was handed excellent opportunities stateside, and has remained on the bench ever since.

Ethan Nwaneri is the perfect solution for Arsenal after Martin Odegaard injury

Already without Declan Rice owing to suspension, Arsenal will seemingly also be without Martin Odegaard for the upcoming north London derby.

Odegaard was injured playing for Norway, and it currently seems unlikely that he'll be ready for Sunday.

READ MORE: Mika Biereth shares how he really felt about leaving Arsenal for Sturm Graz this summer

That being said, now is the perfect time for Arsenal to deploy Nwaneri, who Arteta must have trusted to play this kind of squad role after letting Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira leave.

Perhaps Arsenal made a mistake with Vieira in hindsight, but there's still a solution.

Cesc Fabregas, who went on to captain Arsenal and star under Arsene Wenger, actually enjoyed his breakthrough as a 16-year-old in similar circumstances.

During the 2004/05 season, Arsenal lost Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva to injury, and Fabregas was then the go-to solution.

And perhaps Arteta now needs to emulate Wenger, putting his faith in Nwaneri for the derby.

Kai Havertz could switch roles vs Tottenham

Right now, it's rumoured that Gabriel Jesus may be ready in time to face Tottenham on Sunday, an addition that would really help Arteta right now.

And if Jesus is fit, it would not be a surprise if Kai Havertz dropped into a deeper role playing as a number eight once again.

It may not have been believed a fortnight ago, but Arteta might choose a midfield trio of Thomas Partey, Havertz and Nwaneri – evidently not an ideal scenario, but it's still a combination that can win.

That being said, Troy Deeney shared his concern about Odegaard's injury, fearing that it could affect another Arsenal stalwart should it be long-term.

A fortnight full of drama for Arteta, but if anyone is equipped to manage, it's him.