Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri has provided a welcome solution to Mikel Arteta’s right-winger shortage, but his stunning breakthrough may also give the boss a serious dilemma.
Nwaneri has made the jump from hyped-up academy prospect to fully-fledged first-team player in a matter of months. And his superb left-footed cross, which was headed in by Mikel Merino, helped the Gunners to a vital 2-0 win at Leicester City on Saturday.
The 17-year-old’s ability to play in a number of positions has sparked debate around where he will eventually end up. But he has seemingly found a home on the right flank, with his close control and clever passing causing the Foxes real problems at the King Power Stadium.
There is one obvious problem with that, however, and his name is Bukayo Saka.
A genuine threat to the England winger’s starting spot may have been the last thing Arteta expected to find in the two months since he injured his hamstring against Crystal Palace. But Nwaneri is making it impossible not to consider the notion that, with more opportunities to impress on the horizon, he could be allowed to continue on in Saka’s preferred position.
Arteta does have options. Nwaneri can play on the left and in attacking midfield, while the manager has also hinted at experimenting with the teenager as a centre-forward.
But from what Nwaneri has shown so far, his excellent left foot and mesmerising dribbling ability are best deployed while cutting in from the right. Arteta would be a brave man to move him elsewhere, given the risk that it could halt his momentum as a developing Premier League star.
The two players’ competing interests therefore pose a real headache for the Gunners boss. Saka has long been a stalwart on the right but Arteta will be keen to find a solution which brings the best out of both players.
There could be more tinkering to the front-three between now and the end of the season, with Arsenal competing domestically and in Europe while down to the bare bones in attack. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are both out for the season, while Gabriel Martinelli and Saka are not yet ready to return.
It remains to be seen how Nwaneri fits into the big picture once Arteta has everyone at his disposal. But the Hale End academy graduate is certainly doing his best, in the time he has, to pose a selection problem going forward.