3 talking points ahead of Arsenal vs Athletic Bilbao

Arsenal host Athletic Bilbao on Saturday and there are three key talking points ahead of their pre-season ending game
Looking to bounce back
Looking to bounce back | Marc Atkins/GettyImages
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3. Nwaneri or Odegaard?

Ethan Nwaneri, Martin Odegaard
A dilemma has risen | Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Ethan Nwaneri has impressed throughout pre-season, starting in three of Arsenal's four games in place of Martin Odegaard in the advanced midfield position. That shift in the starting XI has created a small dilemma among fans.

Many supporters have speculated since the youngster's breakthrough that he could be the successor to the Gunners' skipper and that has started to become a real possibility during the side's preparations.

It raises the question whether it'll be Nwaneri or Odegaard who starts tomorrow. The captain scored from the penalty spot in the last game, but his young counterpart has just signed a new long-term contract and could be rewarded with another start as a result.

I feel like I'm repeating myself now, but of course it's only pre-season and we shouldn't read too much into things, but... Could Arteta's decision to start Nwaneri more often be the beginnings of the succession some fans have predicted? That possibility may become a bit more likely if it's the Hale End graduate who plays from the off against Bilbao.


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