Ethan Nwaneri could be the ideal Kai Havertz replacement amid Arsenal injury woes

Photo credit: GETTY IMAGES

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Arsenal’s worsening injury crisis may prompt Mikel Arteta to implement a previously hinted-at solution to strengthen their attacking lineup.

Arsenal’s injury crisis has reached a critical point, with Kai Havertz’s recent muscular issue during their warm-weather training camp in Dubai. The German forward’s absence has left Mikel Arteta with limited attacking options, and it seems the time might be right to fast-track the development of young talent Ethan Nwaneri.

Nwaneri, a 17-year-old prodigy, has already made history by becoming Arsenal’s youngest-ever player when he debuted against Brentford in September 2022. His performances since then have been nothing short of impressive, with seven goals to his name this season. Arteta has previously mentioned that he sees Nwaneri developing into a striker in the future, but circumstances might force that plan to shift sooner than expected.

Nwaneri’s versatility and goal-scoring ability make him a strong candidate to fill the void left by Havertz. He has shown an eye for goal and composure beyond his years, with a knack for finding the bottom corner with curling efforts. His recent goals against Girona and Manchester City have highlighted his potential to make an impact at the highest level.

Arteta’s willingness to experiment with Nwaneri as a No9 could be an intriguing solution to Arsenal’s current predicament. The young forward has already embraced the pressure of first-team football and could thrive even more with the added responsibility of leading the line.

While it may seem bold to rely on such a young player, Nwaneri’s performances have shown that he is ready for the challenge. His development has been carefully managed, with Arteta emphasizing the importance of pushing him while providing the necessary protection.

Ethan Nwaneri could indeed be the ideal replacement for Kai Havertz amid Arsenal’s injury woes. His talent, versatility, and readiness to step up make him a valuable asset for the Gunners as they navigate through this challenging period.

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