Arsenal are worried about the prospect of losing Ethan Nwaneri, and should subsequently be eyeing potential replacements for the teenager.
Nwaneri has enjoyed an excellent breakthrough season for the Gunners, netting nine goals across all competitions.
The North London club had been confident about securing the Hale End graduate’s long-term future; however, Arsenal Insider has revealed that Nwaneri isn’t close to signing a new deal.
Arsenal are growing increasingly concerned about the player’s situation, and potential suitors are beginning to lurk, as they prepare to pounce on this uncertainty.
With that said, the Gunners have to begin succession planning in case they do lose Nwaneri’s services, so here are three potential replacements for him.
Max Dowman
The most obvious replacement is Hale End’s latest wonderkid, Max Dowman.
Dowman has been making waves in the academy, producing stunning performances for the under-18s in recent months, despite only turning 15 in December.
Next season may come slightly too early for him to make a significant impact at senior level, although his talent is so eye-catching that he may be worth experimenting with in pre-season to determine his level.
If he impresses on the tour of Asia over the summer, then there’s no reason he couldn’t take Nwaneri’s somewhat peripheral role in Mikel Arteta’s squad for next season.
Xavi Simons
Xavi Simons is reportedly available for just £50 million this summer, and this is a deal Arsenal should be biting at regardless of Nwaneri’s future.
However, if the 18-year-old departs, then the potential signing of Simons becomes a necessity rather than a luxury.
Arsenal cannot afford to place the entire creative burden on Martin Odegaard again, and Simons would help to alleviate this pressure.
The Dutchman has exquisite close control, is a creative passer and a penetrative ball carrier – all attributes the Gunners’ midfield needs an injection of.
If Nwaneri were to go, Simons would present an opportunity for Arteta and Andrea Berta to level up their midfield department.
Kai Havertz
Maybe an underwhelming choice to some, but Kai Havertz could spend a significant amount of time in midfield next season.
Arsenal want to sign Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres this summer, meaning the German will no longer be the definitive first choice number nine at the Emirates.
This means he may play more of a midfield role, and he could ultimately end up being the attacking midfield deputy to Odegaard.
Carrying a similar goal threat from the middle of the park to Nwaneri, Havertz wouldn’t be able to operate on the right wing like the starlet can.
Both Simons and Dowman could play out wide, which probably makes these two players the more appealing Nwaneri replacement candidates.
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