Mikel Arteta and his team were working very hard to sign a new forward before deadline day. Arsenal held talks with five strikers over a move to the Emirates.
But, none of their top targets were available and the rest would’ve cost more than their fair market value. So, Arsenal decided to stick with what they’ve got.
The Gunners are very short up top now after failing to bring anyone in, but Arteta could turn to a young player and use him in an unnatural position to solve the problem.
What Mikel Arteta has said about Ethan Nwaneri playing as a striker
Ethan Nwaneri is one of the most talented young players in the world.
The 17-year-old has impressed whenever he has played for the Gunners this season. He produced a stunning cameo against Manchester City in their last game as well, where he scored a brilliant goal to make it 5-1 late in the game.
Nwaneri has shown no fear when he has come up against the senior pros. He looks like he belongs on the biggest stage, and he has been used in different positions as well.
After starting off as an attacking midfielder, Arteta used Nwaneri in Bukayo Saka’s position on the right-wing, and the teenager has looked flawless there.
But, Arteta has publicly claimed that the youngster can be developed into a striker too because of how clinical he is in front of goal.
Speaking in December, Arteta said, as per talkSPORT: “Ethan can play as a right attacking midfielder, left attacking midfielder, as a right winger and there is another position he can develop into in a few years time.”
When pressed on what that other position is, the Arsenal manager replied: “Nine. He’s got the goal in front of him and he just looks at the goal. He has a tremendous ability to put the ball in the back of the net.”
Arsenal have another academy player who can play as a striker
Nwaneri’s role could change in the coming months, especially after Saka returns from his injury.
Saka and Martin Odegaard will be undisputed starters, so the position that could open up for Nwaneri is as a false nine when Kai Havertz needs a break.
However, there is another young player at Arsenal who can play up top – Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.
The 22-year-old was given an opportunity off the bench in the Champions League by Arteta in the win against Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates.
After Arsenal failed to bring in a new striker, Butler-Oyedeji could get another opportunity or two in the coming months.
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