Arsenal’s 17-year-old sensation, Ethan Nwaneri, has been enjoying a breakthrough season, showcasing immense talent in midfield and on the right wing.
His performances have been so impressive that he’s even being considered for a potential call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
However, the club’s growing injury crisis has forced manager Mikel Arteta to use Nwaneri more often than he likely intended, raising concerns about over-reliance on the teenager.
Martin Keown’s Concern for Nwaneri
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has voiced his concerns, particularly about Nwaneri stepping in for Bukayo Saka, who is sidelined with an injury.
Keown believes it is unfair to expect a young player to fill such a critical role for an extended period.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he acknowledged the excitement of seeing young talents like Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly emerge but warned that Arsenal might be putting too much responsibility on their shoulders.
The Impact of Injuries on Arsenal’s Attack
The Gunners have been hit hard by injuries to key attacking players, including Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli.
This has left Arteta with limited options upfront, making it difficult for the team to maintain its attacking rhythm.
The lack of available forwards has contributed to their struggles in front of goal, an issue that became glaring in their recent defeat to West Ham.
Comparisons to Liverpool’s Squad Depth
Keown highlighted how losing four key attackers would cripple any team, comparing Arsenal’s situation to a hypothetical injury crisis at Liverpool.
He pointed out that if players like Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz, and Cody Gakpo were all sidelined, Liverpool would face a similar struggle in maintaining their attacking threat.
Arsenal’s inability to cope with these absences has made their title ambitions even more challenging.
Arsenal’s Tactical Shortcomings
Arsenal’s lack of a reliable striker has long been a talking point, and Keown believes this has backfired. Last season, the Gunners were highly efficient in front of goal, scoring 53 goals in their final 18 games.
However, with key players missing, their attacking fluidity has vanished. Even club legends like Thierry Henry would struggle to score if the team isn’t creating enough chances.
Against West Ham, Arsenal’s lack of creativity was evident, further highlighting the need for midfielders like Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard to step up in the absence of their attacking stars.
A Tough Road Ahead
With the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool now standing at 11 points, Arsenal’s title hopes are fading fast.
Their upcoming fixture against Nottingham Forest presents another test, and Arteta will need his available players to rise to the occasion.
Whether Nwaneri continues to be overused or Arsenal finds alternative solutions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—the Gunners are facing a crucial period in their season.