Mikel Arteta hints Arsenal star with 'tremendous ability' is set for a new role
Today at 11:39 AM
Mikel Arteta has hailed Ethan Nwaneri for his ‘tremendous ability’ in front of goal in a big hint that the Arsenal star is set for a new role as a striker.
The 17-year-old Hale End academy graduate has featured as a right winger, attacking midfielder and central midfielder under Arteta so far this season.
Nwaneri registered his first Premier League goal for Arsenal last month in the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates.
He also found the back of the net twice in a 5-1 Carabao Cup win against Bolton in September and scored again in the next round against Preston.
‘Ethan can play as a right attacking midfielder, a left attacking midfielder,’ Arteta said on Tuesday, with Nwaneri likely to start for the Gunners in their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
‘He can play as a right winger and there is another position I think he can develop into – No.9.
‘He has got the goal in front of him and he looks at the goal and he has a tremendous ability to put the ball in the back of the net.’
Arsenal have failed to score from open play in their last three Premier League games in what is becoming a growing issue for the club.
Many pundits have argued the north Londoners need to bring in a new, world-class striker in the January transfer window to get their Premier League title challenge back on track.
Former Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Didi Hamann, though, hasargued that it’s too late for Arsenal and says they’re out of the title race.
Arsenal have dropped points in their last two Premier League matches following draws with Fulham and Everton respectively.
They are currently third in the top-flight table – six points behind Liverpool – with Arne Slot’s league leaders having a game in hand over Arsenal.
Arsena’s next Premier League game comes on Saturday when they face Crystal Palace for the second game in a row after their midweek Carabao Cup quarter-final.
