Mikel Arteta has new Ethan Nwaneri plan after latest Arsenal injury setback

Arsenal are having to contend with a number of injury issues ahead of the North London Derby.

Riccardo Calafiori hobbled off while playing for Italy against France last Friday and is being assessed by the Arsenal medical team. The Italian joins Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney and summer signing Mikel Merino in the treatment room, while Gabriel Jesus is believed to have returned to training over the international break following a groin injury.

Another player who now looks set for a spell on the sidelines is captain Martin Odegaard. The 25-year-old limped off against Austria while playing for Norway on Monday night and there are fears he could be out of action for at least three weeks.

If initial fears are confirmed, Odegaard would miss the upcoming clash against Tottenham on Sunday as well as the Champions League opener against Atalanta and the crucial clash with Manchester City on Sunday, September 22. The Norwegian could also miss the Carabao Cup third round fixture against Bolton, as well as the Premier League match against Leicester City and second Champions League league phase game against PSG.

It’s very much possible that Kai Havertz is dropped back into midfield to replace Odegaard, with any one of Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling playing in the striker role. There is another solution, however.

With Havertz starting the season extremely well up front, it’s possible Arteta will want to keep the German as high up the pitch as possible. That could mean more game time for Ethan Nwaneri in the coming weeks.

The 17-year-old became the youngest player to play in the Premier League in September 2022 after being brought on in the 3-0 win over Brentford aged 15. Now two years older, Arsenal believe the teenager has what it takes to make the step up to first team football.

While he is yet to feature for the Gunners this season, he has been named on the bench in all three Premier League matches so far. The gifted left-footed star, who scored for England U19s against Germany U19s on Tuesday, is seen as someone who can play in one of the No.8 roles in Arsenal’s midfield and could be the ideal Odegaard replacement.

With Fabio Vieira sent out on loan to Porto and Emile Smith Rowe sold to Fulham, Edu and Arteta clearly feel Nwaneri is ready for the big stage. Speaking after Nwaneri had signed his first professional contract with the club in April, Arteta said: “I was really happy. He had a great day, he had all his family and important people around him.

“A really proud moment to see another academy graduate signing his pro contract. He is very close to the first team. The opportunity is there, now he needs to take it.”

It may well be that Arteta gives Nwaneri that opportunity against Tottenham on Sunday. Whether it’s from the start or off the bench, it could be the beginning of a very fruitful career for the youngster.