3 talking points ahead of Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk

  • Gunners host Ukrainian champions in league phase
  • Potential start for a youngster while big man could miss out
  • A win is crucial at this stage
Havertz netted last time out in the Champions League
Havertz netted last time out in the Champions League / Julian Finney/GettyImages
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2. Time to start Ethan Nwaneri

Ethan Nwaneri
Nwaneri must start against Shakhtar / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages

Ethan Nwaneri has become a much more regular fixture in the Arsenal first team this season but has started just one game, a 5-1 EFL Cup win over Bolton Wanderers.

The Gunners lacked creativity against Bournemouth, creating just three chances throughout the 90 minutes. With their two best creators, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, set to be absent once again, the time has come for Nwaneri to start. The 17-year-old has already shown how much he can offer; creating two chances, scoring a brace and successfully playing 93% of his passes against Bolton.

Nwaneri will be a great answer to Arsenal's creativity problems, that extend past the dismal defeat at Bournemouth. Mikel Arteta has the perfect chance to give the youngster another chance to impress against weaker opposition. It also means he can set himself to put together a run of starts while Odegaard remains absent from the side.

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