Arsenal have lost Bukayo Saka for the foreseeable future with a hamstring injury and Mikel Arteta is now tasked with navigating the hectic winter schedule without his star player for however long a period that may be. After Saka came off against Crystal Palace on Saturday evening, the Gunners would go on to win comfortably, scoring three more goals in the process.
They did this with Gabriel Martinelli moving to the right wing, while Leandro Trossard came on for Saka but went to his natural left-hand side. The Brazilian would score while Trossard operated as usual, making darting internal runs and linking play with Kai Havertz who was playing the left-eight role in a more advanced manner than typical starter for the position, Declan Rice.
Arteta was also without Raheem Sterling who came off during a training session ahead of the game. That said, Sterling has been both relatively timid in his time at the club so far and underused by Arteta so it was no guarantee he would come into the fold.
Perhaps the most opportunistic profile to take advantage of Saka’s absence could be 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri. The Hale End graduate has impressed greatly and scored four times this season, three in the League Cup and once in the Premier League.
Nwaneri is a left-footed attacking midfield player but one who has played on the wings for the youth team. Fans may also remember he featured in the wide areas during pre-season and set up Gabriel Jesus in the summer from the left wing with a great cross against Manchester United.
Nwaneri’s low centre of gravity, and natural desire to move inside off the right half space and strike from range mean he has plenty of similarities with Saka. He is also one of the few left-footed diminutive stars in the side. Only Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard have this trait and they are more central figures than wide options.
