‘Has to play’ – Mikel Arteta urged to let Arsenal star leave in January transfer window

Former Arsenal defender Lauren believes Mikel Arteta would be wise to let Ethan Nwaneri leave in the January transfer window to aid his development.

Nwaneri enjoyed a breakthrough season in an Arsenal shirt last season, making 26 appearances in the Premier League and scoring four times.

The teenager’s form saw him rewarded with a new, long-term contract in the summer, but the 18-year-old has found playing opportunities harder to come by this season.

Increased competition after the summer arrivals of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke and the form of Leandro Trossard, has meant Nwaneri is yet to start a league game this season despite Arsenal’s injuries.

Reports earlier in the week suggested that Arsenal would be open to letting the teenager move on loan to get regular minutes in the second half of the season.

And former Gunners title winner Lauren believes a move would be best for both parties, telling Metro on behalf of GeckoPlay Casino: ‘First of all, youngsters have to play to able to develop and improve his qualities.

‘We know about his qualities. A young player needs to play if he is to develop. At this moment of time, it’s very difficult for him to pop up into the team because there a top player now.

‘There are more good players in the last third so for him it’s more difficult, and it’s the same with Dowman. 

‘It’s not a bad idea to go on loan and then to play the games that you need to develop. Maybe he might come back. It’s not the end of the world.

‘I believe it could be a good option for a youngster to move along and then come back later on.’

While Arsenal have a plethora of options in the final third, the north London side have been dealt a blow further back after the injury picked up by Gabriel over the international break.

The Brazilian, who missed lengthy periods of last season with a knee injury, could be out until the New Year, which Lauren sees as a ‘big worry’ for his former side.

‘It’s a big worry. The fact that those two, Gabriel and Saliba, have been outstanding,’ he added. ‘The level of understanding between them, the level of connection between them on set pieces for the team. 

‘I always like, in the back line, the two centre-backs to have one who has more on the technical point of view, and the other one has to be more aggressive.

‘But those two players have those combinations by themselves. They are aggressive in their approach. They are very good with the ball. The technical ability of both of them, they have those qualities. 

‘Over the year, the most difficult thing is to be consistent during games, and those players are consistent during games, during 90 minutes, and every single year.’

Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera looks likely to step in for Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham, but Lauren has full faith in the young Spaniard, whom he first watched during his formative years with Valencia.

‘Mosquera is a top player. I’ve analysed him,’ he said. ‘I watched him for Valencia and I’ve analysed La Liga.

‘Mosquera has been absolutely brilliant. You see the game there, he played against Liverpool.

‘His first game of the season at Anfield, he don’t know the Premier League. He was confident with the ball. He did well in the situation. He was quick in order to cover the full-back.

‘Then the standing with the other centre-back was superb. So we’ve got a good replacement. Maybe it’s not exactly the same as Gabriel, but it’s going to fill the gap as well as we saw with Liverpool.’

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