Arsenal need something to change next season in their pursuit of a major trophy.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been teetering on the edge of glory in recent seasons, they have finished runners-up in the Premier League on three successive occasions and came close to winning the Champions League.
Many fans believe that a world-class centre forward is the missing ingredient and Andrea Berta can replicate the Henry and Bergkamp partnership by signing Leipzig duo Benjamin Sesko and Xavi Simons.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s new Arsenal contract is a positive start to the summer transfer window and fellow Hale End graduate Ethan Nwaneri is one player that will be interesting to watch next season in terms of his continued development.
How Ethan Nwaneri can dislodge Martin Odegaard in the Arsenal XI
Arsenal fans were unconvinced by Nwaneri during his latest performance in the U21 European Championships.
He played on the right flank for much of the game and struggled to make an impact, Nwaneri wants to replace Martin Odegaard in the number ten role for the Gunners this season.
Odegaard did not have his best campaign and there were some calls that Nwaneri deserved more opportunities amid the Norwegian’s struggles.
| Key statistics this season | Nwaneri | Odegaard |
| Progressive passes (per 90 mins) | 3.33 | 10 |
| Pass completion | 80.5% | 82.5% |
| Aerial duels won | 33.3% | 53.3% |
Should Nwaneri want to force Arteta’s hand and make him impossible to ignore in the starting XI, there are three key areas he can improve upon.
Odegaard is exceptional at seeing a pass through the lines and executing it to perfection, whereas this is a trait that Nwaneri is still developing.
Ball retention is also a key part of Arteta’s philosophy and although supporters love that Nwaneri is always willing to be creative, sometimes ticking possession over is needed when managing a game.
Furthermore, Odegaard is the leader of Arsenal’s press and the defensive side of the game is something that Nwaneri definitely needs to learn and improve upon if he is to make a permanent mark in the team.
Lee Carsley highlighted ‘unbelievable’ Ethan Nwaneri trait
Nwaneri is yet to spark into life during the England U21’s Euro campaign but his manager Lee Carsley has already identified a trait from the Gunners youngster.
Carsley praised Nwaneri back in March for his ability to drive inside from the right flank and find the far corner with a curling finish.
It was a finish seen several times during his debut season in the first-team and none more memorable than at the Emirates Stadium during a 5-1 win over Pep Guardiola’s City side.
Carsley will be hoping that Nwaneri can produce something similar when his young England side take on Spain in the upcoming quarter-final clash.
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