Pundit says Arsenal have a player who ‘can play anywhere’

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Adrian Clarke believes Mikel Arteta has a player at his disposal at Arsenal who can play in any position in the forward areas.

The Gunners have assembled an exceptional squad full of versatile players who can fill various roles in recent years.

Almost every option in Arteta’s defensive department can be used in multiple positions across the back four, while this positional flexibility has extended to the attacking players Andrea Berta has brought in this summer.

Arsenal signed Noni Madueke from Chelsea, who can play off the left and right, while Eberechi Eze can be used in midfield or on the wing.

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Adrian Clarke says Ethan Nwaneri ‘can play anywhere’

Ethan Nwaneri signed a new contract at Arsenal this summer, committing his future to his boyhood club.

With the arrival of the likes of Eze and Madueke, many have questioned where the Hale End graduate’s minutes are going to come from.

Madueke’s presence in Arteta’s squad means he’s unlikely to be used on the right wing frequently, while Eze reduces the chances of Nwaneri featuring as an attacking midfielder.

However, Clarke has eased some of these concerns, revealing his belief that the 18-year-old can be used in any role in midfield or across the front-line and this versatility should present him with minutes throughout the season.

“Yeah. Oh, no, he can play anywhere,” Clarke said on the Handbrake Off Podcast.

“He could play, well, right wing obviously. He could definitely play on the left. He could play at 10. We know that.”

“I think he could play in a deeper midfield role as well. He’s got that industry. He’s got that game awareness, and he can play up front. So he’s got loads in his armoury.”

Ethan Nwaneri doesn’t have the skillset to play deeper in midfield yet

While Clarke is certainly correct in his assessment of Nwaneri’s versatility in forward areas, the pundit is somewhat optimistic about the player’s ability to play deeper on the pitch.

The starlet’s skills lie in beating players off the dribble and then taking powerful shots from the edge of the box.

As of yet, he’s not demonstrated an ability to do things that are required from a deeper midfielder, such as winning the ball back with defensive actions or an ability to progress the ball through passing.

He needs to develop his passing significantly before he’s trialled as a number eight or even a number six, while he has to improve his defensive awareness and instincts.

That said, to be capable of covering any position in a forward line at such a young age is extremely impressive and would suggest that the sky is the limit for Nwaneri with his talent.