Arsenal fans are absolutely furious with how Mikel Arteta is treating one member of the squad, with tensions rising after the Nottingham Forest draw.
Seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table, rival fans will be wondering what Arsenal supporters could possibly be complaining about.
The response to that question from Gooners would be to simply watch what Arteta’s side just produced against Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal’s attack was woeful against Forest, showing no urgency as the game progressed, leading to a consecutive 0-0 draw and plenty of questions being fired at Arteta.
If you were Mikel Arteta, how would you solve this problem?
Arsenal fans cannot believe Mikel Arteta isn’t giving Ethan Nwaneri minutes
The squad depth that Arteta has is Arsenal’s biggest strength, but only if the boss uses it properly.
That’s not the case in attack, most notably on the wing and in attacking midfield, where fans cannot believe that Ethan Nwaneri is not getting minutes.
Not getting minutes is an understatement, as the 18-year-old isn’t even making the matchday squad anymore.
On social media, fans couldn’t stop talking about Nwaneri in the wake of the Forest draw, with supporters venting their anger towards Arteta.
“I feel sick knowing Ethan is watching this at home and wonders why he can’t start these games. Odegaard has been pathetic,” one X user wrote.
Another fan on X said the same thing: “The fact that Odegaard keeps starting while Ethan can’t even make the squad is crazy.”
If you were in Ethan Nwaneri’s shoes right now, would you stay at Arsenal or leave on loan?
While Martin Odegaard’s awful performance had fans talking about Nwaneri, it wasn’t only comparisons to the Norwegian that had supporters fuming.
“Nwaneri wouldn’t listen to the robotic tactics,” one fan claimed on X.
A fellow fan said that the way the Arsenal manager is treating Nwaneri is disgusting.
“Treatment of Nwaneri is disgusting. Arteta would prefer to include a finished, physically washed Gabriel Jesus in the squad rather than putting trust in Nwaneri.”
Wherever you look at on X regarding Nwaneri, there are complaints from Arsenal fans aimed at Arteta.
“Nobody can justify the treatment of Nwaneri,” one fan said, continuing to say:
“He’s much better than Odegaard on the ball we all know this. You all said he’s out the squad because he’s not winning duels. Odegaard is getting thrown off the ball every second he still plays?”
Who was Arsenal’s most disappointing player vs Nottingham Forest?
Another had the exact same anger, uncovering a theme about Arteta’s time at Arsenal.
“Nwaneri sitting in the stands while he [Madueke] gets starts, Odegaard gets consistent starts and washed Jesus gets minutes is an absolute farce, a disgrace. Seniority over meritocracy, theme of Arteta’s tenure.”
Nwaneri isn’t going to leave Arsenal on loan this winter despite building interest, so it’s on Arteta to utilise the superb academy graduate.
Ethan Nwaneri and Martin Odegaard comparison reveals an ugly truth to Mikel Arteta
Going back to the argument about why Odegaard is playing ahead of Nwaneri, we’ve selected some numbers to better tell the tale.
Nwaneri played a total of 946 Premier League minutes last season, which is just 13 more than Odegaard has played so far this term.
It’s therefore an appropriate time to compare what the two players offer to Arsenal, and the results reinforce why fans are so frustrated.
Agree or disagree, Ethan Nwaneri would’ve had more of an impact than Martin Odegaard this season.
As the numbers show, Nwaneri is a better dribbler, duel winner and contributor to goals than Odegaard, and it’s also important to note that he also loses possession less.
Arteta prefers Odegaard above anyone else, but an explanation is needed, as the numbers do not justify Nwaneri being the player frozen out of the matchday squad.
The manager will only come under more and more pressure if he does not give fair opportunity to his attacking midfielders, as Nwaneri, like Eberechi Eze, is watching Odegaard underperform, wondering what more he can do.
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