Mikel Arteta explains Ethan Nwaneri stance amid recent limited Arsenal opportunities, ‘There are moments…’

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Arsenal are preparing for a tough trip to Anfield in their latest Premier League clash.

Arsenal’s Champions League permutations are clear for next season, they must win one of their remaining three Premier League fixtures.

Arne Slot praised David Raya for his heroics against PSG in the Champions League semi-final defeat but there will be no love lost between the two sides when the whistle blows on Sunday.

Slot confirmed Connor Bradley will start in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mikel Arteta has been discussing one of his stars amid recent disappointment of first-team opportunities

READ MORE: Arsenal hero Jack Wilshere dealt harsh blow in bid to become permanent Norwich City manager

Mikel Arteta explains Ethan Nwaneri stance

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Liverpool, Arteta has explained the reasoning behind Ethan Nwaneri’s limited minutes in recent weeks.

Nwaneri has enjoyed an outstanding breakthrough season in the Arsenal first-team squad but was an unused substitute in Paris, much to the bemusement of some supporters.

Arteta explained: “There are moments where players are used more and less and he has played a lot. Played probably more than anyone expected for sure and in the last few games because of the games and the context, we decided not to play him in that match, it can change very quickly.”

Many believe that Nwaneri will fight Martin Odegaard for the number ten role next season but the Hale End youngster has had to remain patient in recent matches as the Gunners carefully manage his workload.

Ethan Nwaneri’s incredible Arsenal season

Both Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have been real positives for Arsenal amid a troubling season and they will only get stronger moving into the next campaign.

Theo Walcott warned Odegaard over Nwaneri’s ability to push the captain for his place and despite recent frustrations at not playing, the 18-year-old must be delighted with his first season.

There are still three games remaining in the campaign for Nwaneri to further make an impact on the side and add to his already impressive goal contributions tally.

However, if Arteta feels that he does need to save the youngster for next season, a full pre-season and a well-deserved rest will only serve him well for another assault on the footballing world.