Over the last couple of months, Arsenal have proven that they are a side more than capable of winning the Premier League after numerous failed attempts in recent years.
Mikel Arteta has installed a winning mentality into the side over recent months, subsequently enabling the Gunners to boast a nine point gap with just seven games remaining.
However, winger Bukayo Saka has struggled to produce his best performances in North London, only registering nine combined goals and assists in his 27 league outings this campaign.
Bukayo-Saka-Arsenal
The 24-year-old has only scored two goals in his last 15 top-flight matches, with the England international falling way below the high expectations he’s set for himself.
There’s no denying he’s been a key member of the squad, but he could find himself down the pecking order - especially after the form of multiple players at the Emirates.
The stats behind Madueke & Dowman’s success at Arsenal
During the summer window, Arsenal made numerous big-money additions to bolster their title chances, as seen with the £52m deal to land winger Noni Madueke.
The 24-year-old has registered ten combined goals and assists in his 30 games this term, subsequently managing a goal contribution every three games he features in.
Madueke-Arsenal-Leverkusen
His latest goal came in the FA Cup victory over Mansfield tonight, arguably being the Gunners’ star performer and helping the side move one step closer to another trophy.
However, Madueke isn’t the only forward who’s managed to catch the eye, with 16-year-old sensation Max Dowman another player who’s thrived beyond all expectations.
The youngster has already featured seven times for the club’s first team this season, with Arteta putting faith in the teenager to provide the goods within attacking areas.
His faith in the academy star was repaid last weekend, as Dowman produced a phenomenal solo goal to secure all three points in the clash against Everton on home soil.
The player who could take Saka’s number seven shirt
Saka has been the proud owner of the number seven shirt at Arsenal since the summer of 2020, subsequently being handed the privilege after Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s departure.
It’s a shirt that is full of history, with winger Robert Pirès previously wearing the same number for six years - including during the Gunners’ invincible campaign.
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The Englishman has certainly provided some special moments whilst wearing the same shirt; he’s now scored 68 goals with the number seven on his back.
However, his recent struggles have been there for all to see in recent months, which could see the club decide to put faith in other talents like Madueke and Dowman going forward.
The aforementioned duo aren’t the only two attackers who could steal the shirt away from the academy graduate, with fellow teenager Ethan Nwaneri a player with a huge future in North London.
nwaneri-arsenal
Like Dowman and Saka, he’s a product of The Hale End Academy, even making an immediate impact in the first-team ranks despite being just 19 years of age.
He’s already featured 51 times for the Gunners since his breakthrough in September 2022, with the attacker becoming the Premier League’s youngest ever player.
Nwaneri’s tally of ten goals under Arteta’s guidance highlights his ability within the final third, leading to Will Balsam dubbing the teenage sensation as “incredible”.
However, he’s been sent out on loan to French outfit Marseille until the end of the current season, already catching the eye in Ligue 1 despite his tender age.
Ethan Nwaneri - stats at Marseille
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Pass accuracy
Chances created
Big chances created
Successful dribbles
Shots taken
Cross accuracy
The youngster netted on his debut against Lens, finding the back of the net from distance - further showcasing his talent in the final third with the ball at his feet.
As for his senior appearances at the Emirates, Nwaneri has also managed to find the net against Manchester City - demonstrating he’s capable of thriving against some of Europe’s elite.
It’s certainly early days for the youngster in North London, but he’s already showcased that he’s capable of thriving when handed the chance by boss Arteta.
The 19-year-old will return to the first team ranks from his loan spell this summer and could possibly be handed an added responsibility in the senior squad for 2026/27.
Ethan-Nwaneri-Arsenal
Should he continue on his current trajectory with the Gunners, there’s no reason why he can’t dislodge Saka from the starting eleven - whilst even stealing his shirt number in the process.
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