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Arsenal legend Martin Keown has named 17-year-old forward Ethan Nwaneri as a potential replacement for the stricken Bukayo Saka as they prepare to face Ipswich Town. Star forward Saka has been ruled out for approximately 10 weeks with a hamstring tear, leaving a vacuum in the Gunners' attack.
England international Saka has been influential for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side this season, putting up impressive numbers in attack. The 23-year-old has contributed nine goals and 13 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions this season, and his injury comes as a huge blow.
Gunners manager Arteta will have spent the days since Saka's injury trying to find a player who can replace the Englishman in the short-term. Speaking to talkSPORT, pundit Martin Keown has proposed that 17-year-old phenom Ethan Nwaneri be trusted to fill in for his fellow Hale End graduate.
"I don't know of a player that has created more chances for his colleagues in the Premier League this season, so he's obviously going to be a really big miss. It's up to someone to step up, maybe [Ethan] Nwaneri, who has been playing in the [Martin] Odegaard role, maybe he could come in to the front line and give us something different."
Attacking midfielder Nwaneri has appeared 16 times for Arsenal this season, with all of his appearances coming in midfield. The England youth international has started only three games this season as Mikel Arteta is looking to ease him into the rigours of senior football. With four goals and several bright cameos to his name this season, the teenager may have done enough to earn the trust of his manager in this period.
The absence of Raheem Sterling through injury has further exacerbated the problem Arteta faces in this period. With Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli the only two out-and-out wide players in the side, the likes of Nwaneri may get a run on the wings.
Arsenal coy on duration of Bukayo Saka injury amid fears of lengthy layoff - Reports
Arsenal have refused to put a recovery timeline on star forward Bukayo Saka following his hamstring injury. The Gunners were vague in their announcement about the 23-year-old's injury, with manager Mikel Arteta saying he will be ruled out for "many weeks".
"He's going to be out for many weeks," Arteta said.
The England international pulled up midway through the first half of their league clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday and was taken off in the 24th minute. He was later seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches.
Initial estimates put his recovery at six weeks, but the Daily Mail have claimed that the Gunners fear that Saka may take up to 12 weeks to recover. Arteta will hope to have his talismanic forward back for the final three months of the season, seeing as he is expected to be out until February at least.
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Edited by Arshit Garg