Ian Wright: Arsenal are putting a lot of pressure on Ethan Nwaneri | OneFootball

Ian Wright has suggested there’s a lot of pressure on Ethan Nwaneri at the moment due to Arsenal’s midfield departures and injury issues.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

For the most part, Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri has had an excellent couple of months.

The 17-year-old has made his first two starts for the club, scoring three goals, and he’s become a regular substitute in the Premier League.

But whilst that’s largely due to the talent the youngster has, it’s also a sign of just how depleted Arsenal are in midfield. Ian Wright highlighted the issue after Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle United.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

“[Martin] Odegaard has been out for a while now,” Wright began. “Fabio Vieira (on loan at Porto), we hadn’t seen too much of him, and he was a player meant to be in the same mould.

“Emile Smith Rowe has moved on. We have seen Ethan Nwaneri come on, a youngster who’s got to come on in a game for a team that’s trying to challenge for the title. It’s a lot of pressure on him.

“I thought [Mikel] Merino wasn’t tight enough in and around the midfield, I think he’s still getting up to speed.

“It really is quite frustrating to be 10 games in and feeling like you do now.”

LONDON, ENGLAND: Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Saturday certainly wasn’t such a great day for Nwaneri, as Arsenal struggled to create chances and the midfielder didn’t get much time on the ball.

There’s definitely an argument that the teenager should be used more when the scores are level or Arsenal are leading rather than when they’re chasing a game with 11 opponents behind the ball.

With any luck, Odegaard will soon be back in action and the pressure to fill his spot can lift a bit.