MIKEL ARTETA COULD UNLEASH ‘BIG TALENT’ IN NO.9 ROLE AFTER KAI HAVERTZ INJURY SCARE.

MIKEL ARTETA COULD UNLEASH ‘BIG TALENT’ IN NO.9 ROLE AFTER KAI HAVERTZ INJURY SCARE.

Arsenal have had a frustrating campaign with injuries, and the trend has continued since the turn of the year.

 

The club could be without four main forwards after a surprise update from journalist Sami Mokbel yesterday.

 

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are already on the sidelines.

 

They could be joined by Kai Havertz, who picked up a possible hamstring injury in the Dubai training camp.

 

If the German is sidelined, manager Mikel Arteta has a selection headache on his hands for the striker position.

 

Leandro Trossard seems the likely candidate to play as a false number nine, having done so previously at Arsenal.

 

However, Arteta could also opt for wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri, having talked up his potential in the position.

 

In a press conference in December, the manager said that the 17-year-old could develop into a future no.9.

 

He said: “Depending on who they are surrounded by and depending on which position Ethan can play.

 

“He can play right attacking midfielder, he can play left attacking midfielder, he can play right winger, there is another position that I think he can develop into in a few years time, so there are options here.

 

“Nine [on which position he thinks Nwaneri could develop into]. When he’s got the goal in front of him, he just looks at the goal. He has a tremendous ability to put the ball into the back of the net.”

 

Nwaneri, described as a ‘big talent‘ with the ‘right attitude’ by Arteta, has played as an attacking midfielder or right winger in his breakthrough season for the Gunners.

 

He has been impressive in both roles and has already accumulated seven goals from 23 outings.

 

Martinelli’s setback last week increased the club’s reliance on the teenager. If Havertz is out injured, he could become an undisputed starter over the forthcoming games for Arsenal.

 

We won’t be surprised if Arteta unleashes him from the no.9 role. Leandro Trossard is most comfortable from the left wing. He was hugely impressive against Manchester City without a goal contribution.

 

With Raheem Sterling’s lack of goalscoring confidence, he is more likely to start on the right wing than up front. This could pave the way for Nwaneri to lead the attack for the Gunners.