'Why not?' – Martin Keown tips surprise Arsenal star to replace injured Bukayo Saka

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Martin Keown believes that Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri is ready to fill the void left by Bukayo Saka on the right wing following his hamstring injury.

Saka has been the driving attacking force in Mikel Arteta's side this season, notching up five goals and 10 assists in the Premier League already.

However, the Gunners were dealt a huge blow just before Christmas when the 23-year-old was forced off in the early stages of their 5-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.

Scans have subsequently ruled out Saka for an extended period of time, with reports suggesting that the Englishman may not return until March.

The news undoubtedly comes as a huge blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes, with the club now considering entering the transfer market to find a replacement.

An injury to Raheem Sterling has denied Arteta a ready-made replacement over the rest of the Christmas period and Keown reckons the Arsenal boss should now consider deploying Nwaneri in an unfamiliar position out on the right wing.

The 17-year-old is yet to start a Premier League for Arsenal but has made several bright cameos off the bench and in cup competitions so far this season.

‘I don’t know of a player that has created more chances for his colleagues in the Premier League this season, so he’s obviously going to be a really big miss,’ Keown told talkSPORT when asked about Saka’s injury.

‘It’s up to someone to step up, maybe [Ethan] Nwaneri, who has been playing in the [Martin] Odegaard role, maybe he could come into the front line and give us something different.

‘He’s a left-footed player so why not push him into the top line. There are options for the manager.’

Keown also urged Gabriel Jesus to build upon his welcome return to form and help carry the goalscoring burden in the absence of Saka

‘Jesus has suddenly scored five goals in a week, that’s been a long time coming, so he needs to sustain that,’ the former Arsenal centre-back added.

‘But it’s in that final third where there needed to be more creativity and it could be less now as you’re losing one of the best players in the Premier League.’

Speaking earlier in the month, Arteta appeared to hint that Nwaneri could be deployed in a wider position as he continues his development with the first team.

‘Ethan can play as a right attacking midfielder, a left attacking midfielder,’ the Spaniard said.

‘He can play as a right winger and there is another position I think he can develop into – No9.

‘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 will be without Saka for the first time on Friday when they host Ipswich Town at the Emirates.

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