Arsenal 'superstar' wows Sky Sports pundit as major transfer claim issued
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Arsenal don’t need to secure reinforcements in the transfer market thanks to one "superstar” they have unearthed, according to Tim Sherwood.
The Gunners defeated Dynamo Zagreb 3-0 on 22 January, and sit third place in the Champions League standings.
Declan Rice opened the scoring within two minutes after Kai Havertz cushioned the ball into his path. Havertz then doubled the lead in the second half with a bullet header, while Martin Odegaard sealed the victory with a third goal.
Mikel Arteta’s side are currently without star player Bukayo Saka due to injury, but an unlikely hero, Ethan Nwaneri, caught Sherwood's attention in Saka's absence.
The teenager created a standout chance on the right flank, beating his defender and delivering a pinpoint cross to Rice, who mistimed his header.
Sherwood, speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Special (22 January, 9:35 pm), said: “Oh what a chance, Ethan Nwaneri does brilliantly when he gets it on the right-hand side.
“Every time the boy gets the ball you can hear the crowd, just the enthusiasm of them. They just expect this boy to do something and he doesn’t let them down.
“He just drops his shoulder, cuts inside, whips a ball onto the penalty spot. Declan Rice, free, no-one near him, but he just heads it straight instead of towards the goal, so it’s a big miss from Declan.
“But what a player that kid is. Sometimes you don’t need to go to the transfer market if you just look down at your academy and you’ve got a superstar like that. Brilliant.”
Arsenal look at Ethan Nwaneri as replacement for Bukayo Saka
Football Insider Verdict
The 17-year-old had been enjoying a brillaint breakout campaign with Arsenal before suffering an injury against Brighton on 4 January.
The youngster has made 19 appearances this season and scored an impressive five goals, with two starts in the league.
Despite his return being a major positive for Arteta, some fans are concerned that it could lead the Gunners to avoid targeting another forward during the January transfer window.
While the academy graduate clearly has immense talent that Sherwood was praising, it’s unfair to put the pressure to replicate Saka's impact on that side on him.
With supporters already frustrated by Raheem Sterling's performances this season, it's understandable why many are calling for the club to sign another winger.
In other news, Nottingham Forest are battling Arsenal for one of their transfer targets this January transfer window.
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The post Arsenal 'superstar' wows Sky Sports pundit as major transfer claim issued appeared first on Football Insider.
