The Gunners’ midfield has been decimated over the past few weeks after Mikel Merino picked up an injury and Declan Rice was red-carded against Brighton.
After letting both Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira go this summer, replacing Odegaard this weekend isn’t a straightforward task.
Speaking on the BBC Planet Premier League Podcast, Mark Chapman has been discussing how Arsenal deal with this crisis, and he says that he’s heard a rumour that Ethan Nwaneri could be in line to get a start in this game.
Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Lond...
Ethan Nwaneri could start vs Tottenham
Chapman shared the rumours he’s heard about Nwaneri.
“At the other end of the scale as we move onto the north London derby, there are rumours going around at the moment, and these may be quashed by the time the game comes around,” Chapman said.
“They have some issues in midfield Arsenal, Declan Rice is suspended, Martin Odegaard picked up an injury during the week, their signing in the summer, Merino is already injured. So there are these rumours that they may start a 17-year-old, Ethan Nwaneri.”
Ethan Nwaneri would be going in at the deep end
Just a few days out from the north London derby, there’s a real chance that Nwaneri does start this game, and what a place to make your full debut.
Nwaneri could be thrown in at the deep end here, but, these sorts of situations can bring out the best in a player.
It’s said that pressure makes diamonds, and we’ve seen before in this fixture that can be the case.
Danny Rose scored the winner in a north London derby in his Tottenham debut, while, Cesc Fabregas made a massive impact in this match as a teenager too.
Nwaneri may get his chance to shine this weekend, and it remains to be seen whether or not he takes this opportunity.
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