Arsenal’s pre-season is well underway now and the club have took part in a behind closed doors friendly with MK Dons this weekend.
Mikel Arteta is currently working with a mixed squad due to the World Cup only just finishing.
The likes of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and the Brazilian contingent are yet to return to London Colney after going deeper into the tournament than others.
Naturally, that means a chance for Arteta to experiment a bit and importantly, for some of Arsenal’s younger players to get key minutes in the bank.
One of those young players hoping to make an impact this coming season is Ethan Nwaneri.
After spending a disappointing spell with Marseille last term, Nwaneri will be keen to kick on this season.
Indeed, it also appears he might be in for a new role if Arteta does pick him.
Ethan Nwaneri deployed in midfield as Arsenal beat MK Dons
It feels like a big year in the development of Ethan Nwaneri.
With Max Dowman emerging with so much success last season and Nwaneri struggling in France, it feels like he needs to make an impression – either with Arsenal or out on loan – or waste another year.
Nevertheless, Mikel Arteta has opted with Nwaneri against MK Dons and it looks like the teenager was deployed in central midfield.
Nwaneri appears to have played the first half alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly in the middle of the park, as goals from Reiss Nelson, Nwaneri himself, and Cedach O’Neill were enough for a 3-0 win.
Quite whether we will see Nwaneri play in midfield – or even at all – in the coming season, remains to be seen.
Still, all he can do is try to impress when given the chance. Clearly, scoring and getting the nod in the centre of the park is a step in the right direction for Nwaneri.
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