The three games Ethan Nwaneri must now start after latest Arsenal injury developments

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Arsenal could be set for further injury troubles this season, and Mikel Arteta may have a dilemma on his hands.

Captain Martin Odegaard has been absent since September, and it is now anticipated that he could be sidelined until December amid rumours of a setback in his recovery.

Bukayo Saka stepped up in Odegaard’s absence, often wearing the captain’s armband, whilst also leading the way in the Premier League for creativity.

However, Saka limped off during England’s defeat to Greece, handing Arteta a potentially huge problem if two of his best players are sidelined.

There will need to be a solution to replace the creative spark of both players, and whilst Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus are options on the right wing, and Leandro Trossard an option in the middle, it is now time for Ethan Nwaneri to step up his first-team involvement.

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Ethan Nwaneri must now start following Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard’s injuries

Arsenal have a somewhat favourable fixture schedule for the next few weeks, with games against Bournemouth, Shakhtar Donetsk, Liverpool and Preston North End on the horizon.

The Liverpool game looks particularly tricky, but the rest could provide the perfect platform for Nwaneri to finally start in the Premier League and Champions League, having already impressed from the bench.

Arteta’s side are in a strong position in the Champions League, having beaten Paris Saint-Germain, and the Shakhtar game could see Nwaneri showcase his creativity in midfield at the Emirates.

The Bournemouth match could see Nwaneri start on the wing with Trossard in midfield, allowing him to play a more advanced role to inject more creativity than Sterling or Jesus would as pure outlets, if Saka and Odegaard are both missing.

The Liverpool game should see one of the more experienced options come in, but against Preston, a number of youngsters including Nwaneri will expect to start anyway.

Arsenal may now have to rely on Ethan Nwaneri’s creativity

If Saka and Odegaard are both absent, Arsenal will likely struggle for creativity unless Nwaneri comes into the side.

Trossard is the only player resembling an attacking midfielder who could help replace them, with the rest either wingers or more defensive-minded players, and there needs to be an option to keep composure and provide vision in the final third.

Nwaneri showed in his outstanding cameo against Leicester that he can provide this creative spark, and he must be given the opportunity to prove to Arteta that he is ready to replace two of Arsenal’s most important players.