Forget Mathys Tel, Arsenal already have a ‘great’ natural goal-scorer who Mikel Arteta loves

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Arsenal have been linked with a whole host of players over the January transfer window, with Mathys Tel among those rumoured with a switch.

The Gunners have been on the hunt for a new forward, whether that’s a striker or a winger, to help bring more scoring potential to the attack.

Plenty of different targets have come and gone during an awkward market, though one last hope remained on transfer deadline day as Arsenal made contact with Bayern Munich for Mathys Tel.

Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta though, Tel is set to join Tottenham on loan instead, coming as a huge blow.

While that comes as a problem for Arsenal, they may already have an option that needs more minutes instead.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about January 2025 transfer deadline day including closing date and time

Instead of Mathys Tel, Arsenal have Ethan Nwaneri

Many may rue the chance Arsenal missed when it came to Mathys Tel, given the huge potential he has shown at Bayern Munich.

However, the terms of the deal wouldn’t have been an ideal one for the Gunners to seal for the rest of the season.

The move to Tottenham is a straight loan with no permanent option or obligation involved in the move.

That means, if Arsenal were to land the same deal, then all of the risk of minutes and performances would be on them, while Bayern Munich get all of the benefits.

Instead, the Gunners should move on as they already have their own youngster they should hand minutes to instead.

Ethan Nwaneri, much like Tel, can play across the frontline but he has the advantage of scoring more goals this season.

Add to that the fact that the risk taken by handing minutes to the 17-year-old benefits Arsenal as he is their player for the future.

His development could help take the Gunners to the next level, while Tel would be a short-term move.

• READ MORE: Arsenal confirmed signings, transfers in and out and loans in January 2025 window

Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard praise for Ethan Nwaneri

You only need to listen to the Arsenal squad and coaching staff to realise just how much Ethan Nwaneri is rated among them.

At just 17, it’s impressive the impact he has had and continues to have on the side with his ability and goal-scoring nature.

Martin Odegaard was full of praise for the forward after the victory against Girona, stating in the matchday programme: “I’ve said before that we don’t look at him as an emerging talent, we just see him as a great player.

“That says it all really for someone who’s 17. He’s just a natural part of our squad and the team, and you can see the talent he brings. It was another great goal from him, we’re all really pleased for him.”

Mikel Arteta added to that, stating to the press: “That’s what we love about him [Nwaneri], he’s willing to take the initiative to make things happen.

“He’s very aggressive when he’s got the ball and so confident because before that he had another action, a very similar one, he made the right choice, he went for it, he has the capacity to finish from every angle basically and it was a very important goal.”

Whether he can go on to have the impact many expect of him in the future remains to be seen, but Nwaneri has shown to be an important player.