Arteta might make the bold decision to bench “sensational” Arsenal star in order to unleash Nwaneri in the match against PSG…

Arteta may consider making a bold decision by sidelining a “sensational” Arsenal player to give Nwaneri a chance against PSG – opinion.

Although they are not currently leading the league, Arsenal should be brimming with confidence about their prospects of finally breaking their two-decade title drought by May.

Mikel Arteta’s team has already faced tough opponents like Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Manchester City away from home. With a more favorable set of league fixtures approaching in the next month, they are likely to remain competitive as Christmas approaches.

The immediate focus is on an upcoming home Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain. Given the packed schedule, Arteta might consider resting one of his key players to allow Ethan Nwaneri to make his European debut.

Reasons for Nwaneri’s inclusion

Nwaneri’s impressive tally of 27 goals and ten assists in 52 youth team matches should warrant his selection for this match.

Additionally, his recent performances with the first team further strengthen his case for a starting position.

This season, the 17-year-old talent has appeared in three matches for Arsenal. His standout performance in the League Cup, where he scored twice, has rightfully drawn attention, while his two substitute appearances in the league have also showcased his potential.

In a recent North London Derby, when the Gunners held a 1-0 lead and time was running out, Arteta opted to bring on a Hale End graduate rather than another defender for the final ten minutes.

While many young players might feel overwhelmed in such a high-stakes match, the Enfield-born talent appeared completely composed, contributing effectively from his very first touch and posing a threat to the opposition.

A similar scenario unfolded on Saturday. With the match tied in the 85th minute, instead of calling on the more seasoned Gabriel Jesus, the manager again chose to introduce the promising midfielder.

Although he didn’t find the back of the net, he came remarkably close and made a more significant impact in his brief appearance than some players do throughout an entire match.

While it may be a considerable challenge for a young player to start against Paris Saint-Germain, the adage holds true: if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. There is no doubt that Nwaneri has proven himself to be more than capable.

Regarding Thomas Partey, if Nwaneri is to be included in the starting lineup tonight, it necessitates a change, and that change involves resting Partey.

This adjustment would enable Declan Rice to take on the role of the defensive midfielder, with either Jorginho or Leandro Trossard stepping in as the left-eight, depending on the manager’s tactical approach.

It’s important to note that the decision to exclude the former Atlético Madrid player from the starting eleven is not a reflection of his overall performance.

Despite a few less impressive outings this season, he has also showcased his exceptional abilities in matches against City, Tottenham, and Villa.

Despite receiving a 6/10 rating for his performance against Leicester City from football.london’s Kaya Kaynak, the “sensational” midfielder, as referred to by La Liga expert Gerry Armstrong, had a commendable first half.

By the time he was substituted in the 85th minute, he had recorded 107 touches, successfully completed 87 out of 96 passes, achieved a 100% completion rate on long balls, and made four tackles.

However, he began to show signs of fatigue in the second half, which is quite understandable given that he has started every match this season, except for the one against Bolton.

Considering his injury history, this represents a significant amount of playing time in a condensed period.

Throughout his career at Arsenal, the Ghanaian star has missed 80 matches for both club and country due to ten separate injuries.

Given his crucial role in the team this season, Arteta cannot afford to have him sidelined for an extended duration.

Thus, while the upcoming match is important, it would be wise to allow Partey some rest tonight.

A midfield combination of Rice, Jorginho or Trossard, along with the promising Nwaneri, should be sufficient to secure a victory at home, especially if Arteta fields a strong lineup in other areas of the team.