Is Arsenal’s mini midfield crisis a chance for Nwaneri to potentially get some minutes against Spurs?
Arsenal and Europe’s big clubs are heading into the first international break of the new season (I don’t know why on God’s green earth it comes this early every year), this will give key players some time to shift their focus off the demands of a grueling premier league campaign even when it’s just started.
It will also give some players the chance to represent and do well for their nations. Arsenal however will be hoping that a midfield player we just signed in Mikel Merino will be able to make a miraculous return against Spurs, but that is highly unlikely however given the severity of his shoulder injury. The injury was revealed before the game against Brighton and it meant that we would be a man light in the midfield for a few weeks at least, but most gooners would agree that it didn’t pose a serious concern.
However Declan Rice’s red card at the weekend has turned the situation to a mini midfield crisis and has left us stretched in the middle of the park ahead of a visit to spurs after the break.
A trip away to Tottenham is never easy and would require having your best players on the field to be able to get a result, therefore not having a player of Rice’s impact on the field would represent a big blow. However there are adjustments that Arteta can make that might make up for the loss in midfield, firstly we might see Kai Havertz being reinstated in the left 8 as we saw in the early stages of last season, with either one of Trossard, Jesus (if he’s fit) or even Raheem Sterling being utilized in the false nine position or secondly we might see the return of a double pivot, with the use of Jorginho and Partey in behind Odegaard. The latter I think will be the one Mikel will opt for given Havertz’s inconsistencies in the middle of the park.
The third option that I think Arteta might go for against Tottenham would be Nwaneri, hear me out I know he’s super young and very inexperienced to be thrown into a North London derby, but I believe if you’re good enough (which I think we all know he is) then you’re old enough to play. When you are given the chance play for this badge you should be fearless and have that hunger in your belly to prove just how good you are besides I think it’s a matter of time we start giving our youngsters more chances in the starting lineup to show to others coming up that there is a pathway into the team, when you’re good enough and work hard.
My final opinion is that perhaps the Tottenham game is too big of an occasion to overwhelm the kid but even if it’s minutes off the bench, Arteta should give him!
Would it be a good idea to give Nwaneri minutes against Spurs?
KENNETH BENJAMIN.
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
NO
OT: TBR Football reports Arsenal persuaded Kiwior to stay with the club until January and at that point if he wants to leave, they will allow him to go.
He was open to returning to Serie A this summer, and generated interest from a host of clubs there. Chelsea is understood to be keen on Kiwior.
He’s a good player. I like him
Not surprising. Thanks for the update.
Who can say without knowing him? He’s clearly got the talent, it’s just a question of whether he’s prepared physically and mentally – how would a mistake affect him? Is he likely to get over excited or overwhelmed by the magnitude of the game? I suspect he’d be fine, but only the coaches can really have a proper idea about that
He won’t start
It’s common sense
I agree with you he probably won’t start, but some managers would definitely have started a 17 yr old fabregas in a similar situation, because he could handle it – don’t know if nwaneri is at the same level of maturity/ability.
Yes. Definitely yes. Havertz is wasted in the centre of the park. Put Havertz up front.
Wont happen
Why not just replace rice with Jorheinho
There’s a good reason not to do that – both are showing signs of decline and we will be losing a lot of physicality with rice being out. At their best, a jorginho-partey midfield would be great, but they could be overrun if things don’t go our way. Imo this is a key decision for arteta – I think he probably will go with the two experienced midfielders, but I also think there’s a strong chance he will use someone like timber, who can provide those missing legs, while also being an generally intelligent footballer.
I think Timber will play in midfield done it on quite a few occasions so it won’t be completely new to him and he has the quality to adapt quickly would def put him in there!
Personally I wouldn’t start him, but if we’re winning comfortably I’d give some minutes.
👍 I agree, then again if we are winning comfortably I might not care too much due to the festivities. Also, I can’t believe after the first half of last season and dabbling with it later on we would want to again have Havertz in the #8.
Only if Odegaard is unfit to play
Xhaka’s position requires a more experienced central midfielder with better defensive ability
@Gai, Nwaneri against Spuds will be OK if we are leading with 10 or 15 minutes to go, he can come in for Saka. I don’t want to entertain the thoughts Odegard won’t be fit. The pressure to perform at NLD is always huge.
Yes. Nwaneri could be Saka’s backup, but I think Arteta prefers to replace Saka with a conventional RW in the second half of the games
He should earn his minutes like everyone else, but should not be subbed into a big derby match like this.
Let him get minutes in early domestic cup games, or subbed on for the last 12-15 minutes where we are leading 3-0 or 2-0.
Then his play and productivity will show if he is ready to contribute, or continue to only get cup minutes and late sub minutes.
Exactly. It got me when the author stated that we all know he’s good enough. Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t, but trying to prove it in a derby on a title contending club no matter how good he may be is not advisable when experienced alternatives are available.
meant as a Reply to Durand
Timber midfield
Califorio starts left back.
Jorginho off the bench
Nwaneri off the bench
YES. Football has always Belonged to the Youth.
OT Califiori has been taken off injured in the France vs Italy game !!!
Apparently it was another freak accident where he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and a flailing leg from Dembele inadvertently caught him on the calf. The manager doesn’t think it’s too serious and he may be fit for Monday’s game against Israel. Strange things are happening already this season. Merino, Calafiori, 1st red card for Rice in 245 games. Uugh!
I don’t know the extent of Nwaneri’s potential so only the manager would be able to make such a decision but sometimes you have to be brave and and take a gamble otherwise you’ll never find out if they are a Trevor Frances or Wayne Rooney in the making. We know by know that the likes of Kiwior, Partey and Jorghino can only offer so much, which may not always be enough. Fingers crossed that Califiori:s injury is simply a short term inconvenience. He will be necessary for us.
Should have been 16 and 17, not 27.
Seen him a few times and last saw him turn out against bayer Leverkuse. Didn’t look out of place. Stood Strong,London and won tackle, good turn of pace and went past players.
Maybe tried to over impress a bit a few times but was good to see had the confidence to do such things.
I would have no problem if MA dropped in to the starting line up.
Plus side on him being in compared to maybe party or Jorginho- pace
Downside- still very inexperienced compared to the other 2
if he keeps going then he is definitely the future for us.
Onwards and upwards