Arsenal’s lack of firepower has been perceived to have cost them dear this season, but the club has been told they have a teenage forward who is up there with a striker who won the Ballon d’Or. Few youngsters have ever burst onto the scene in English football in the same manner as Michael Owen, who was just 17 when he made his senior debut in Liverpool.
Although injuries plagued his later career, he retired in 2013, having also played for Real Madrid and Manchester United. He also scored 40 goals for England, with his 1998 World Cup strike against Argentina cemented in folklore. Now, former team-mate Danny Murphy has argued that the Gunners have a young forward with similar attributes and ability.
“I was at Liverpool when a 17-year-old Michael Owen burst through with this incredible self-belief that no defender could handle him,” he told the Daily Mail. “I’m getting the same vibe with Nwaneri, who doesn’t look scared of anybody.
“The bigger the occasion, the better he is. The teenager moves effortlessly with the ball, has a great touch and changes direction to find space in the tightest of areas. Many young players have the ability, but to also have the mentality to play with freedom marks you out as special.”
Nwaneri, 17, has made 27 club appearances this season, scoring eight times. He’s suddenly become a pivotal figure to Mikel Arteta amid injuries to fellow forwards Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal are all but into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after their 7-1 first-leg win against PSV on Tuesday night. However, Arteta has come under fire for failing to land a top striker, with his side falling 13 points behind The Reds in the Premier League title race.
However, Murphy argued that as well as a gem in Nwaneri, the Spaniard also has two world-class defenders in his ranks. The ex-Liverpool and Fulham midfielder implied that the north London side could be further off the pace if it weren’t for the pairing at the heart of their back four.
“Arsenal are also helped by their centre-backs,” he added. “Gabriel and William Saliba are so good in individual duels that team-mates can push up, knowing their defenders can deal with any turnovers.”