Arteta has some big decisions to makeplaceholder image
Arteta has some big decisions to make | AFP via Getty Images
Arsenal may have to make a tough decision or two during the January transfer window.
Arteta has been blessed with depth this season, with Arsenal having concentrated on adding competent options in a number of positions last summer.
That competition has allowed Arsenal to outperform all of their rivals so far this season, and they look strong favourites to end their more than two-decade long wait for their next Premier League title,
There are some downsides to such competition, though, with some players left on the fringes of the squad and needing more regular football. One of those players is Ethan Nwaneri, who has gone from being a breakthrough star and a key player to only making 11 appearances across all competitions, including just six Premier League outings.
Nwaneri almost certainly has an Arsenal future, only recently penning a new contract, but at 18 years of age, he is not currently in Arteta’s main plans. The question now is whether Arteta selfishly keeps Nwaneri around for depth in case an injury crisis strikes, or whether he allows the young talent to go out and play regular football elsewhere.
That decision could come soon, too, with Nwaneri reportedly attracting interest from AFC Bournemouth. According to The Independent, Bournemouth are expressing an interest in taking Nwaneri on loan until the end of the season.
The Cherries have picked up of late, but they are set to lose Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City, and they need attacking reinforcements. Nwaneri’s creativity and Premier League competence could come in handy for Andoni Iraola, who likes direct players.
Arteta’s praise for Nwaneri
While Nwaneri has not featured regularly, Arteta has been impressed by the youngster’s attitude. He said in December: “Ethan’s attitude on that is exceptional. He wants to train and he wants to be outside and he wants to be in touch with that ball. In that sense, he’s top.
“His attitude has been excellent and when he’s got the chance to play, prove that I’m wrong, that he needs to play more minutes and help the team as much as possible.” Nwaneri may well need to make that claim from afar in the second half of the season, and besides from the lost depth on Arsenal’s side, it could be a deal that suits all parties.
Ultimately, Arsenal will want Nwaneri to continue developing, and that is tough to do without regular football. Bournemouth could potentially offer that, but the Gunners may want to speak to the South coast club to check whether indeed the 18-year-old would feature regularly.
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