Mikel Arteta is not afraid to move players around at Arsenal.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has played an inverted role under the Spaniard, while the initial plan for Kai Havertz at Arsenal was for the German to play in a No.8 role in midfield.
Gabriel Martinelli has also played as a striker as well as a winger.
Mikel Arteta has now made another tweak to his tactics at Arsenal – one which involves Ethan Nwaneri.
Ethan Nwaneri now exclusively considered a central operator at Arsenal
David Ornstein has now told The Sports Agents that the Arsenal No.22 is no longer viewed as a winger at the Emirates Stadium – and is now seen as a No.8 or No.10 who plays centrally.
The highly respected journalist said: “I think it (a deal for Eberechi Eze) was being looked at when there was a possibility of Ethan Nwaneri leaving because he was into the last year of his contract, and Arsenal now see him in the eight to ten role – as opposed to the right side where he played last season. Eze occupies that same space.
“They have got Martin Odegaard around there, and they’ve got Max Dowman coming through – hopes could not be higher for him. So, if Nwaneri had departed, I think the idea was Eze. Nwaneri signs his new contract, and so Eze is a less pressing concern.
“I think the left side Arsenal were thinking of as something of a priority, but that would take departures, whether it would be a Trossard or a Martinelli, and I’m not aware of that brewing at this point. They also have Madueke, who impressed there (left) when he played against Athletic Bilbao off the bench. There could be some more movement in that department, but I think it would depend on outgoings.”
TBR Football understand Tottenham are now moving to sign Eze as Arsenal prioritise sales.
The numbers that emphatically support Mikel Arteta decision
Arteta has made a sensible decision with Nwaneri – who Arsene Wenger called a “special talent” and compared to Cesc Fabregas.
Throughout his career – even at youth level – the England U21 international has made 45 appearances as a central attacking midfielder and 20 on the right, clearly having a much greater impact in the middle.
Position Games Goals Assists
Attacking Midfield 45 20 7
Right Winger 20 4 2
Striker 9 11 2
Left Winger 1 0 1
As you can see, Nwaneri boasts 20 goals and seven assists in those 45 appearances when playing centrally, but only four goals and two assists in 20 games on the right.
Interestingly, the Hale End graduate also has 11 goals in just nine games as a striker, proving he is much more impactful overall when fielded centrally.
Therefore, Arteta has made a wise call as he aims to develop the 18-year-old as a central operator rather than a winger.