Arsenal were able to eke out a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Friday night.
Arsenal were dominant in terms of possession and territory – particularly in the first half – against Ipswich Town.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side were only able to record a 1-0 win, as the visitors defended diligently, and the Gunners perhaps lacked some cutting edge in the final third.
Arsenal’s attacking contingent has recently been hit by the blow of losing Bukayo Saka to injury.
Arteta has confirmed that Saka will be sidelined for some time, and the Gunners now face the challenge of finding a way to cope without the talismanic winger throughout his time spent in recovery.
Gabriel Martinelli was deployed on the right flank – Saka’s usual position – against Ipswich Town.
Arsenal fans angry with Mikel Arteta over Ethan Nwaneri snub
Martinelli worked hard against Ipswich, but was unable to make much of an impact in the final third.
Meanwhile, Hale End academy wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri remained an unused substitute throughout this fixture.
Nwaneri has already shown this season that he can make an impact in the Premier League and provide goals from the bench. Many Arsenal fans on X were furious that Arteta neglected to give the 17-year-old more game time against Ipswich.
One said: “Perfect game to try Nwaneri on the right but no, let’s keep Martinelli on until the end with all the games coming up.”
Another stated: “Why is Martinelli playing 90 minutes with Nwaneri on the bench? Arteta trying to make statements to the board with his changes.”
One Arsenal supporter claimed: “No reason to not be giving Nwaneri minutes to progress now. Martinelli offers absolutely zero. Someone needs to pull him aside and give him a shake.”
Another noted: “Feel bad for Nwaneri, we have no attackers on the bench even and he can’t get 15 mins.”
One added: “Time to give Nwaneri a proper go surely.”
Another chipped in with: “Again saka injured and the coward cant make an attacking sub, where is nwaneri.”
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka replacement options
Martinelli clearly appears to be the top pick to replace Saka. However, Gabriel Jesus has played plenty of football in that part of the pitch before in his career, and Leandro Trossard is another alternative that the manager can turn to.
Supporters have made it clear that they want to see Nwaneri given more chances whilst Saka is sidelined.
Nwaneri is arguably the most appropriate Saka replacement, given that both players are left-footed.
However, Arteta has suggested that Havertz could also deputise on the right wing, though the German is currently flourishing in a central role.
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