Arsenal have 'fearless' Bukayo Saka injury replacement who no one is talking about - opinion
Today at 06:45 AM
Put bluntly, Bukayo Saka's injury has completely marred two excellent wins for Arsenal against Crystal Palace over the past week.
Arsenal could lose Saka for 10 matches – the exact time of the season that they couldn't afford to lose their most influential performer.
Mikel Arteta struggled to devise a plan to adequately substitute for Martin Odegaard when he injured his ankle earlier this season, a period when Arsenal lacked creativity.
Many were calling for Ethan Nwaneri to come into the side instead, but Arteta often opted for Leandro Trossard who failed to repeat last season's success as number 10.
That being said, after putting faith in Myles Lewis-Skelly recently, Arteta now has another chance to unleash Nwaneri.
Ethan Nwaneri ready for his own Fabio Vieira experiment at Arsenal
Recently, Arteta discussed a new position for Nwaneri – the possibility of the 17-year-old one day becoming a striker.
However, Arsenal may now need their Hale End Academy star on the right-wing to replace Saka, where they can utilise his left-foot to full extent.
Gabriel Martinelli shone as a right-winger away to Palace, but over the busy festive period to come, he and Trossard will need help on the wings.
Raheem Sterling has also picked up an untimely injury, meaning he may struggle to substitute for Saka himself.
And given Nwaneri's ability, it could be time for Arteta to trust the youngster in a similar move to which he made with Fabio Vieira earlier this year.
Before he went to FC Porto on loan, Arteta seemed intent on using Vieira as a right-winger, an experiment that admittedly worked very well in pre-season.
Mikel Arteta thinks Ethan Nwaneri is ready for the next step
To support the point above, Arteta said Nwaneri was ready for the next step recently, explaining that Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe left to make space for the youngster.
And should both Saka and Sterling miss out for a period, then the 'fearless' forward is primed to excel in a new position.
Of course, that would also present another interesting dynamic for Arsenal fans to watch – Nwaneri playing alongside Odegaard.
Thus far, it's largely been one or the other, explaining the tough task Nwaneri is often handed whenever he does get a chance at Arsenal.
But perhaps the two can thrive in tandem, enjoying a similar relationship to Saka and his Norwegian captain on the right.
