Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been warned that he could receive a "kick up the backside" from Ethan Nwaneri next season following the teenager's contract extension.
The Gunners confirmed on Friday afternoon that Nwaneri had signed a new long-term deal, believed to be a four-year extension to his current terms until the end of the 2029-30 campaign.
Nwaneri's breakthrough 2024-25 - in which he scored nine goals in all competitions - saw him largely feature off the right, but the 18-year-old is expected to occupy a central role moving forward, meaning direct competition with Odegaard.
Arsenal legend Alan Smith recently spoke exclusively to Sports Mole about Nwaneri's contract extension, and the former Gunners striker has backed the teenager to seriously challenge Odegaard for minutes next term.
“He’s probably in a better position now to challenge because he's had that experience in the last couple of years," Smith said. "The manager stuck with Odegaard when he was going through some fairly tough times.
Odegaard sent "kick up the backside" warning after new Nwaneri Arsenal deal
Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri pictured on February 15, 2025
"I don't think he was awful, but he certainly didn't score as many goals as he should do. His form dropped a little bit. And you need options. Players that can give you a kick up the backside if you don't want to lose your place.
"You can see somebody just behind doing well in training, looking a threat. And Nwaneri is certainly a player that could step in there. Arteta has been careful not to put him in too often.
“Sometimes you think maybe he should have had more games than he did last season, but now he's had that experience, I can see him offering more of an alternative for the manager.
"And it would be good to see how he does in that number 10 position as opposed to out on the right. He’s still learning about the game, but that will be another step in his education. So he's a great option to have.”
Comparing Odegaard and Nwaneri's Arsenal performances in 2024-25
Alan Smith/Ethan Nwaneri/Martin Odegaard composite
While an ankle injury did not help Odegaard's cause last season, Nwaneri benefitted from Bukayo Saka's serious hamstring problem to earn a string of starts on the right-hand side, and the teenager registered more goals than his captain did.
Nwaneri struck nine times in all tournaments in 2024-25, while Odegaard found the back of the net on just six occasions, and the youngster significantly out-performed his Expected Goals (xG) total in the Premier League too.
Indeed, Nwaneri scored four times from an xG total of just 1.2, while Odegaard netted three goals from an xG of four, although the Norwegian amassed 12 assists compared to Nwaneri's two.
Such is the difference between their playing styles last term, Odegaard registered significantly more progressive passes per 90, but Nwaneri trumps him for successful take-ons and progressive carries per 90.
Having also caught the eye in a central role in pre-season, Nwaneri is not just Odegaard's deputy, but a genuine contender for his position.
Alan Smith was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of William Hill.
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