Ethan Nwaneri: Marseille It Ain’t So

[Legend14]

it is puzzling behaviour from the manager. really weird not to chuck in nwaneri and Nørgaard at times, specially when ode, zubi , merino have been looking totally exhausted and eze not being able to keep up the intensity in midfield.

nwaneri looked pretty sharp and fit. seems mikel is too risk averse or doesnt know how to manage a squad and rotate properly

I think its because Nwaneri struggles when we do not have possession. He doesn’t press, he doesn’t cover, he doesn’t track back. He’s probably always attacked.

When he shows defensively, Ødegaard’s days are numbered as a starter. But does he have it in him.

Arteta demands full commitment. Even if it kills your legs.

 

[Gooner Zig]

Ethan looked raaazor sharp imo

 

[RunTheTrap]

Fair play to Ethan. Came on for 20 minutes and appeared engaged. No tantrums on the bench, he just focused on making an impact. Shows that Arteta hasn't lost him yet. But it is down to the coach to trust him. Ethan is already behind Ødegaard, Eze and Merino in the pecking order, and Teta is sick enough to put Kai in front of him too, despite the German failing in midfield in his first season.

 

[RunTheTrap]

I think its because Nwaneri struggles when we do not have possession. He doesn’t press, he doesn’t cover, he doesn’t track back. He’s probably always attacked.

When he shows defensively, Ødegaard’s days are numbered as a starter. But does he have it in him.

Arteta demands full commitment. Even if it kills your legs.

We generally struggle off the ball when Rice isn't oh the pitch. The OOP is a cop out because Eze hardly offers anything off the ball. Ødegaard presses well but does not win tackles, and Merino is slow and can be bypassed in midfield.

 

[MutableEarth]

We generally struggle off the ball when Rice isn't oh the pitch. The OOP is a cop out because Eze hardly offers anything off the ball. Ødegaard presses well but does not win tackles, and Merino is slow and can be bypassed in midfield.

Wouldn't say Eze offers nothing off the ball but Ødegaard has them both beat when it comes to OOP. That's just not enough for me to keep him in when he's not delivering.

Now I don't even think he's been as bad as people are saying but I still think Ethan should be playing more. Not a coincidence that the team attacks quicker with either Nwaneri or Eze in the #10, even when they're not at their best. Game state and team profiles should be taken slightly more into consideration than they are IMO. We'd be more adaptable if we did.

 

[BBF]

Looked great, and I'm a bit disappointed he didn't start. These types of games are a great way for a youngster to gain match experience with serious professionals.

Not a massive deal, and I understand there are also other players who needed to build up match fitness. That said, though, we're really going to need him this season. Regardless of age, he is an elite AM and RW back-up (if you can even call him that) in Europe. The time, experience, and chemistry he could be building with his teammates would be invaluable going forward.

We have two CL games left as a team who have already qualified for the knockout stages. Let's give him a genuine run-out to build up confidence.

 

[GunnerBP]

Nwaneri played well today and he's in a pretty interesting situation at the moment. This summer he signed a new long-term contract, so he knows he isn't going anywhere and Arteta clearly has faith in him.

By all accounts, we were not planning on buying Eze this summer, and that move happened largely because of Berta. Nwaneri's minutes went to Eze, but Eze has been a big success and no one thinks that that was a bad move.

Nwaneri hasn't done anything wrong this season and he already looks better than last season. I wouldn't be surprised if he got a loan for second half of the season, but I wouldn't be surprised if he stayed either.

Nwaneri's situation kind of reminds me of Iniesta's situation at Barcelona when he was breaking into the first team, and Deco was blocking his path. This summer we're gonna have to sell some attackers, and I bet Nwaneri will have a bigger role in the team next season.

 

[REEVIE1995]

Thought he looked really good when he came on, every decision he made was rhe right one, was direct and positive when appropriate and was unlucky not to score.

Im not too worried short term. He will get more chances after tonight. If he keeps playing at that standard he won't stay out the squad for long.

With Zubimendi, Merino and Nørgaard playing the whole 90 tonight, i think Arteta might play Ødegaard and Eze against wolves. After tonight, you imagine he will replace one of them at some point at the weekend.

 

[Legend14]

We generally struggle off the ball when Rice isn't oh the pitch. The OOP is a cop out because Eze hardly offers anything off the ball. Ødegaard presses well but does not win tackles, and Merino is slow and can be bypassed in midfield.

Arteta’s view regarding the player, not mine. He’d play over Ødegaard if it was me.

 

[Sammy1887]

Eze > Ethan > Ode

 

[ArsenalInMyHeart]

Fair play to Ethan. Came on for 20 minutes and appeared engaged. No tantrums on the bench, he just focused on making an impact. Shows that Arteta hasn't lost him yet. But it is down to the coach to trust him. Ethan is already behind Ødegaard, Eze and Merino in the pecking order, and Teta is sick enough to put Kai in front of him too, despite the German failing in midfield in his first season.

Look at him, at 1:00 and 1:17 if its Ødegaard, he will pass to Saka. Ødegaard always goes to the right side and finds Saka/Noni or White... I hate this...

 

[ArsenesCoatMaker]

This summer we're gonna have to sell some attackers, and I bet Nwaneri will have a bigger role in the team next season.

Why?

 

[outlawz]

Spent 60m to stall this kids progress.

Weren't you saying just last season that he's not that good.

 

[GunnerBP]

Why?

Right now we have too many attackers, but it just doesn't seem like that because we're having a massive injury crisis. I don't it is sustainable to have as many attackers as we have unless we are planning on constantly having an injury crisis. If our injury crisis goes away in the second half of the season, it will be very obvious that we have too many attackers.

Here are our current attackers.

ST: Havertz, Gyokeres, Jesus, Merino*
LW: Trossard, Martinelli, Eze*, Madueke*
RW: Saka, Madueke, Dowman
AM: Ødegaard, Eze, Nwaneri, Merino*

Normally, the goal is to have two options for each position, and we have that in midfield and defense, but in attack we have eight players for three positions (nine players if you count Merino as a CF).

In the summer, I think we could sell two attackers, and that would open up more minutes for Nwaneri.

 

[ItaBic]

Right now we have too many attackers, but it just doesn't seem like that because we're having a massive injury crisis. I don't it is sustainable to have as many attackers as we have unless we are planning on constantly having an injury crisis. If our injury crisis goes away in the second half of the season, it will be very obvious that we have too many attackers.

Here are our current attackers.

ST: Havertz, Gyokeres, Jesus, Merino*
LW: Trossard, Martinelli, Eze*, Madueke*
RW: Saka, Madueke, Dowman
AM: Ødegaard, Eze, Nwaneri, Merino*

Normally, the goal is to have two options for each position, and we have that in midfield and defense, but in attack we have eight players for three positions (nine players if you count Merino as a CF).

In the summer, I think we could sell two attackers, and that would open up more minutes for Nwaneri.

i see things slightly different. in my opinion Arteta think (probably correctly) that Nwaneri doesn't have big potencial as winger and he is working for develop him in a role that should be a bit a mix between Ode role and something like Foden position in man city. it's a bit a risk , because when last year played in this position he had his worst games but i believe also that if Ethan trust and continue to push in this direction can be really there his future and can became a world class player in this position. so for future is all about became better player then Ode/Eze for him. if in eyes of Arteta he will reach atleast a level close to them manager will start to rotate him if not he will don't have space as happened in first months of season

 

[GunnerBP]

i see things slightly different. in my opinion Arteta think (probably correctly) that Nwaneri doesn't have big potencial as winger and he is working for develop him in a role that should be a bit a mix between Ode role and something like Foden position in man city. it's a bit a risk , because when last year played in this position he had his worst games but i believe also that if Ethan trust and continue to push in this direction can be really there his future and can became a world class player in this position. so for future is all about became better player then Ode/Eze for him. if in eyes of Arteta he will reach atleast a level close to them manager will start to rotate him if not he will don't have space as happened in first months of season

Yeah, I think we have the same opinion. I don't think Arteta sees Nwaneri as a RW. He definitely sees him as an AM, and this season the goal was for him to compete with Ødegaard at AM. However, we bought Eze and Eze took Nwaneri's minutes. Yet, I don't think the plan is for Eze to play AM for us. I think the plan is for him to play LW.

If Eze is going to play LW for us then we don't need Trossard and Martinelli at LW, so I think we will probably sell an attacker or two this summer. Selling an attacker will open up minutes for Nwaneri at AM.

 

[Heavy Duty Rom]

Weren't you saying just last season that he's not that good.

No, I was saying i'm not sure if he'll make it here because i'm not sure what position is best for him, and if he has the physicality.

This remains the case, but, I would have at least liked to see if he did have it, instead of spending 60m on Eze. For me, Nwaneri has more to his game and the higher ceiling.

 

[lomekian]

he may join the likes of willock, emi, nketiah, nelson, smith rowe, ballard, balogun, biereth etc.. if arteta keeps doing this sort of nonsene. the kid is a baller and not a fidget spinner like Ødegaard.

correct and they did well elsewhere. its a pattern. meanwhile we were playing tierney on the wing due to lack of options.

Willock doesn't really have a position, Nelson is a crock who plays scared, ESR is only now getting sharp and match fit and still in and out for Fulham, Eddie barely plays for Palace, Balogun has been mostly awful for Monaco, Ballard is a beefier Rob Holding and Bierrth is essengially a pound shop Gyokeres. Emi was a miss but he pushed to leave (

I loved them all and desperately wanted them to make it, but for reasons of talent, fitness and mentality none of them did. Meanwhile, they raised enough money to buy Declan Rice.

As for Tierney on the wing, only Nelson or ESR could play there, and as it happens both were injured at Fulham at the time.

Worth remembering that for the disappointment at not seeing as much of Ethan this year, he's still as young as any of them when they debuted, and has done more thAn most at the club already.

The main threat to his minutes going forward is if Eze can't contribute from the left, because he is rightly ahead of Ethan at 10.

 

[lomekian]

What are his current minutes this season and a reasonable amount for a player his age? Anybody have a resource that discusses this?

not many comparables at the mo. 18 year olds in top sides is still v rare. Maybe King at Fulham?

 

[lomekian]

He was excellent tonight, didn’t put a foot wrong and could’ve scored twice. Not sure why he didn’t start over Ode, but just glad to see him get some minutes.

Ode needs the mins at the mo...hopefully to work out how to not step onZubi's toes half the game. He has to understand that he doesn't need to be as ball dominant