Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur right after the international break, and Mikel Arteta has a few problems ahead of the game.
The North London Derby is often the biggest game of the season for Gooners, and the one coming up will be a difficult test.
That’s because Declan Rice is suspended, Mikel Merino is ruled out due to an injury and it’s still unclear whether Gabriel Jesus will make it.
To add to that, in what could be a huge blow, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has suffered an injury, and there are huge concerns over his availability for the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Arteta will need to figure out who to deploy in the number 10 role if Odegaard doesn’t recover.
Mikel Arteta should unleash Ethan Nwaneri if Martin Odegaard is ruled out of Tottenham vs Arsenal
Odegaard is one of Arsenal’s most important players.
The Norwegian is the one who often leads the press in the final third, and his work rate is up there with the very best in the entire Premier League.
To add to that, Odegaard is a magician on the ball. He is capable of unlocking any defence, and he is a goal threat too – especially against Tottenham having scored twice against them in the past.
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With the Arsenal number eight an injury doubt for the game at Spurs now, Arteta should be thinking of potential alternatives if his captain doesn’t make it.
We think Ethan Nwaneri deserves a chance.
The teenager holds the record for being the youngest player to make an appearance in the Premier League in the history of the competition.
He got plenty of chances in pre-season this summer, and Nwaneri’s performances were absolutely fantastic, even against senior pros.
The 17-year-old has been an unused substitute in each of Arsenal’s first three Premier League games this season, but we think he should be considered against Tottenham if Odegaard is unavailable.
Nwaneri could prove to be a big weapon as there’s no way Spurs will expect him to play.
Mikel Arteta’s two summer transfer decisions could seriously backfire now
Arsenal fans are all praying that Odegaard will recover in time to be available for the North London Derby.
The Norwegian is a very difficult player to replace in this Gunners side, and the two men who could’ve filled in for him are no longer at the club.
Fabio Vieira was Arsenal’s natural alternative to Odegaard, but he was sent out on loan to Porto for the remainder of this season. The other option was Emile Smith Rowe, but he was sold to Fulham.
We hope Odegaard will be fine, but if his injury is serious, Arteta and everyone else involved in transfers could end up regretting their decisions about Vieira and Smith Rowe.