September 12th 2024.
Young Arsenal player Ethan Nwaneri has been receiving praise for his potential and has been suggested as a possible replacement for the injured Martin Odegaard in the upcoming north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. However, former Arsenal player Theo Walcott has expressed some concerns about Nwaneri's readiness to start in such a high-pressure game.
The Gunners are determined to bounce back from their recent draw against Brighton, but they may have to do so without some key players. Declan Rice will be suspended and there are injury concerns for Mikel Merino, Gabriel Jesus, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and captain Martin Odegaard. This has led to some calls for Nwaneri, who has only made two substitute appearances in his two seasons with the team, to be given a chance in midfield.
Manager Mikel Arteta has spoken highly of Nwaneri and the club believes he has the potential to become a first-team player in the future. However, Walcott, who also came through the Arsenal academy, has reservations about starting the 17-year-old in such an important game at this stage of his career. He believes that Nwaneri may not be ready to handle the pressure and responsibility of being the midfield conductor in this match.
Walcott predicts that Kai Havertz will drop back into midfield to replace Odegaard, with Gabriel Jesus starting up front. He does not see Nwaneri starting in this position, as he tends to prefer playing more centrally. Walcott himself was initially used as an impact player when he first started, and he believes that Nwaneri could make a similar impact in this game if given the chance.
However, Walcott also believes that Arsenal fans should not put too much pressure on Nwaneri and should allow him to develop at his own pace. He acknowledges that as a young player, there will come a time when he needs to take the next step and prove himself, but he doesn't think that this is the right timing for that. He praises Nwaneri's athleticism and the fact that he has a young manager in Arteta who can relate to modern players and help him develop.
With so many players injured, Walcott sees this match as a big test for Arteta as a manager. He believes that this is the first time Arteta will face such a challenge with so many key players out at the same time. He acknowledges that there have been injuries before, but mostly to players who were not regular starters. This will be a true test of the strength and depth of the squad and whether they can compete with the likes of Manchester City, who have a strong bench.
Walcott believes that this is where the players who have been waiting for their chance to shine will step up and prove themselves. He acknowledges that there is always a high expectation for players at Arsenal, but this is the biggest test yet for Arteta and his team. He sees it as a positive that this test is coming early in the season and believes that it will be a great opportunity for the squad to show their quality and fight for their place in the starting lineup.
Overall, Walcott feels that Nwaneri may not be ready for such a high-pressure game at this stage in his career, but he has faith in the young player's potential. He also sees this match as a major challenge for Arteta and the team, but believes that it will be a chance for them to prove their worth and compete for the top spot in the league.
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