It was a bitter blow when Arsenal lost Ethan Nwaneri to injury shortly after his second Premier League goal against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.
When Bukayo Saka originally suffered a significant injury to his hamstring, it seemed as if Gabriel Martinelli would be the answer for Arsenal on the right.
However, Mikel Arteta swiftly pivoted to Nwaneri, who was able to provide a left-footed experience that somewhat mirrored Saka’s skill-set, a better fit for Arsenal.
Unfortunately, Arteta will now need to find a different solution on the right, perhaps returning to Martinelli or may even trying someone like Gabriel Jesus out wide.
Although, the Arsenal manager could potentially have a trick up his sleeve after an announcement on Monday.
Charles Sagoe Jr returns to Arsenal to possibly act as cover for Bukayo Saka
Following a 18-game loan spell at Shrewsbury Town, 20-year-old Charles Sagoe Jr is now returning to Arsenal.
Shrewsbury confirmed that Sagoe Jr had simply ‘returned to parent club Arsenal’, not disclosing if his loan was cut short on their end or if the Gunners recalled the winger.
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Either way, it’s an interesting turn of events given Arsenal’s availability crisis up top, and given that Arteta included Sagoe Jr in the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Sagoe Jr, who has always had a glowing reputation in the Hale End Academy, featured in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth stateside, replacing Fabio Vieira on the right wing.
Arteta handed the winger his senior debut for Arsenal against Brentford in the EFL Cup last season.
And given all of the information available, it’s hard to ignore the possibility that Sagoe Jr might act as short-term cover for Arsenal amid their injury crisis, before the club take to the transfer market.
Reiss Nelson praises ‘unpredictable’ Charles Sagoe Jr
Reiss Nelson, who is currently injured whilst out on loan himself, spoke very glowingly about Sagoe Jr’s potential back in 2023.
Since, the winger hasn’t quite hit the levels that Nelson may have hoped, but perhaps there could be an exciting opportunity for Sagoe Jr to prove his quality in the near future.
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Speaking to Sagoe Jr in ‘Hale End Days’, Nelson said: “I’ve been watching you, because I watch a lot of the U21 games and literally, I’m not just saying this because you’re here and doing the interview, but you have got everything to become an Arsenal winger.
“You’re unpredictable, you know how to move the ball on your left, on your right, you can score, you can assist, you’ve got everything.
“It’s just literally about keeping your head down and just not getting distracted or disheartened by anything that happens in the journey towards you getting to the first team.”
Of course, Sagoe JR might just be returning before heading out on another loan given his limited game time at Shrewsbury, and if that is the case, Arsenal won’t be able to use him owing to FIFA’s rules stating that players can only represent a maximum of two clubs in a single campaign.
In any case, the winger will be ineligible for the EFL Cup having featured in Shrewsbury’s 2-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers in the second round, but could perhaps help in the league and FA Cup should he be sticking around.
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