Ethan Nwaneri is facing a key week in his Arsenal career as the midfielder is set to be finally handed his chance to start for the Gunners.
Nwaneri has not played much football at Arsenal this season, but Mikel Arteta is set to ring the changes against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
Over the weekend, the North London club suffered their first defeat in 18 matches, with Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard really disappointing at Villa Park.
But rather than being frustrated by both midfielders struggling, it could now present Nwaneri with a great chance to remind Arteta of his immense talent.
Ethan Nwaneri must capitalise on Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard’s poor performances
Ethan Nwaneri must use his chance against Club Brugge as a chance to capitalise on the poor performances of Eze and Odegaard away at Aston Villa.
There has been considerable speculation over Nwaneri’s short-term future at Arsenal, with talk about a potential loan move in January.
The teenager has made just three starts this season for the Gunners across all competitions, racking up a total of 427 minutes played.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League, after 15 matches, he has made just six substitute appearances, with Arteta clearly not ready to trust him.
Should Arsenal send Ethan Nwaneri out on loan in January?
There is a good case for sending the 18-year-old out on loan in January, although Saturday’s defeat at Aston Villa could serve as a reminder that he is still needed.
Eze and Odegaard were well off the pace against Villa, with neither midfielder able to make an impact on the match.
Arsenal’s captain managed to lose possession on 15 occasions away at Villa; meanwhile, Eze struggled at left wing, completing just one dribble and zero key passes.
Now, the pair are set to be rested away in Brugge, with Nwaneri almost certainly set to be the man to come into the number ten role.
The chance is now there for him to stake his claim for more minutes in N5 off the back of disappointing displays from Arsenal’s two attacking midfielders.
Mikel Arteta needs to utilise his well-stocked Arsenal squad better
One thing that the 2-1 defeat highlighted is that Arsenal’s strongest 11 is starting to look a little leggy, and it’s time for Arteta to make better use of his well-stocked Arsenal squad.
The Spaniard could make several changes in the Champions League against a struggling Club Brugge team.
How many changes should Mikel Arteta make to the starting XI against Club Brugge?
With Arsenal players looking leggy against Aston Villa, is it time for Arteta to ring the changes vs Brugge?
If you were Mikel Arteta, what Arsenal team are you fielding against Club Brugge? Let us know your selection in the comments…
Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli could all come into the team to form a different-looking attack.
Nwaneri could be joined in midfield by Christian Norgaard and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who also have points to prove to their manager.
Defence could be an issue, with Arteta’s options having been limited by injuries to Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, and Cristhian Mosquera.
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