Mikel Arteta told where Ethan Nwaneri could play for Arsenal even alongside Martin Odegaard

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Arsenal produced perhaps their best performance of the season in the UEFA Champions League with a resounding 5-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon.

The free-flowing attacking football on display was a far cry from the rigid, uninspiring displays during a dismal run before the last international break.

The Gunners picked up just three wins in seven games and fired blanks at Bournemouth, Newcastle and Inter Milan.

During that run, many Arsenal fans were desperate for Mikel Arteta to start academy starlet Ethan Nwaneri in the absence of captain Martin Odegaard.

However, with the return of Odegaard to the side, TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand believes Nwaneri could do a job elsewhere in the team.

Rio Ferdinand believes Ethan Nwaneri could cover Bukayo Saka

Speaking on TNT Sports pre-match coverage, former Manchester United defender Ferdinand identified the problem that youngster Nwaneri could face getting into the Arsenal side with the return of Odegaard.

Ferdinand stated, “You can see the talent there, the unfortunate thing at the moment is that the position in which he looks capable in is where the captain is Odegaard.”

However, Ferdinand went on to state that Nwaneri’s versatility could be the answer to a long-term problem the Gunners have had in covering winger Bukayo Saka.

Ferdinand believes, “Nwaneri could shuffle out wide on the right-hand side where Saka is if need be.”

Fellow TNT Sports pundit Martin Keown would agree, also believing that Arteta should find a new position for Nwaneri.

The lack of options to rotate Saka out of the team has been a huge problem in recent years for Mikel Arteta with many fans believing that current back-up option Raheem Sterling does not fit the mould of his side.

Nwaneri has all the attributes to play in multiple positions for Arsenal

Ferdinand explained in further detail what makes Nwaneri such a special talent: “He has fabulous balance.”

Ferdinand went on to explain, “He has a great frame in terms of being able to be robust and ride challenges and has a wonderful left foot, he sees the game and plays with his head up.”

Nwaneri has appeared ten times for the Gunners this season and became the club’s second youngest Premier League scorer after Cesc Fabregas after notching against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

The England youth international could be a real weapon in Arsenal’s fixtures this season and provide excellent cover for the deadly duo of Saka and Odegaard.