Ethan Nwaneri shows he can step up in Bukayo Saka's absence

Ethan Nwaneri started his first Premier League game on New Year's Day as Mikel Arteta gave him the nod for Arsenal's 3-1 win at Brentford.

The youngster made his full league debut on the right wing in place of current absentee and star player Bukayo Saka. Handed a tough task in matching his fellow academy graduate's performances, Nwaneri dealt with the challenge well and impressed at the Gtech Community Stadium.

With his performance against Brentford, Arsenal's record-breaking youngster showed that he is more than capable of stepping up to the first team in the absence of Saka.

Ethan Nwaneri shows he can step up in Bukayo Saka's absence

Arteta opted to change tack after Friday night's win against Ipswich and utilised Gabriel Martinelli down the left with Nwaneri, who he's previously name-checked as a possible alternative for his fellow Hale End graduate, operating to the right of free-roaming centre-forward Gabriel Jesus.

Even before looking into the statistics, many assume Nwaneri is the best option out of Arsenal's squad to fill in when Saka is unavailable. As a tricky left-footed player, he is far more suitable to replicating the best traits of the Gunners superstar. Nwaneri is capable of taking on his man and cutting inside to shoot, as shown on numerous occasions this season, or cross in a way that is similar to the methods of Saka.

Nwaneri's influence was felt throughout the win over the Bees. The teenager recorded 41 touches, completed 22 out of 24 passes (92% accuracy) and created two chances for his side. While he did not provide an assist, two crosses were the catalyst for his side's second and third goals. Nwaneri's inswinging deliveries caused problems for the Brentford defence, who failed to clear and allowed Mikel Merino and Martinelli to crash home at the start of the second half.

He tended to drift inside during his time on the pitch but also displayed brilliant confidence to take on his marker and was often the victor of the battles. Nwaneri linked up well with his fellow right-sided players Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber and utilised them as part of buildup play in the same way Saka tends to do.

From more of a psychological sense, his natural creative tendencies could also work well in Arsenal's favour. If he is to take over the Saka role, he will be expected to link up with the Gunners' primary playmaker: Odegaard. Both natural number 10s, Nwaneri and his skipper are likely to read the game in the same way and think similarly as a result. This should work to their advantage, allowing them to function in great harmony.

While Nwaneri is still young and raw, his performance against Brentford showed that he is capable of stepping up as an alternative to Bukayo Saka. His influence on the pitch, overall ability and the footballing mind he possesses all support the idea of the 17-year-old being the most suitable backup to the star winger during his prolonged absence.

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