Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has backed Ethan Nwaneri to move to a new role in a few years’ time, commenting on the January transfer window.
The 17-year-old is enjoying a breakthrough season for his boyhood club and there have been calls for him to feature more regularly in the Premier League.
The attacking midfielder has impressed in the Carabao Cup, scoring three goals against Bolton Wanderers and Preston Wanderers. Despite this, he only played 104 minutes in the Premier League.
Nwaneri came on for the final 28 minutes arsenal’He replaced Martin Odegaard in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Everton.
The teenager has been used as a right winger, number 10 and central midfielder this season. period ArtetaAt a recent press conference, he was asked “where Nwaneri can develop”. He replied: “Nine. When the goal is in front of him, he just looks at it. He has a huge ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
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Nwaneri is likely to start for Arsenal on Wednesday night as they face Premier League rivals Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Ahead of the game, Arteta was asked if Nwanery and Odegaard could play in the same team. He replied: “Depends on who they have around them and where Ethan can play.
“He can play right midfield, he can play left midfield, he can play right winger and I think he can develop into another position in a few years, so there are a lot of options here.”
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The January transfer window is approaching and Arsenal may consider making signings They are six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Arteta admits Arsenal’s January transfer plans “depend” on three factors. He said: “It will depend on what player it is, how valuable that player is, if there is any other movement in the squad, so it’s difficult to answer.
“I have complete trust in the team and our players and the number of situations and things that we generate in games and the amount of goals we concede. I have complete trust in my players.”
Speaking about Crystal Palace, he added: “It was very tough – when you look at the end result and their approach, their personal qualities and the way they’re coached.
“It’s always very difficult and when you play a team twice in four days it’s another level of difficulty so we’re prepared for that.
“We will decide in the morning the situation of the team, obviously the relevance of the game and where we are in the quarter-finals, it will be a very important game. We will decide the best team to win.”
