Ethan Nwaneri changed the game against Leicester – and Saturday’s result against Leicester was huge for Arsenal. After the impressive away results against Spurs and Manchester City it would have been a massive blow to have dropped points against Leicester at home, especially after leading 2-0 at half-time. Obviously Leandro Trossard got a lot of headlines because of the role he played in the third goal, but I honestly think Ethan Nwaneri was the player who gave Arsenal the lift they needed to go on and produce their dramatic late, late show.
His introduction in the 85th minute was exactly what the team and the fans needed at that point. You could really tell that the mood inside the ground was shifting as the clock ticked towards the 90 minute mark. There was a realisation that Arsenal were about to throw two points away in costly fashion on the same day that Manchester City had been held at Newcastle.
But Nwaneri coming on changed everything. You could feel the energy inside the stadium shift from the moment he got on the ball, took on a couple of players and forced a save out of the keeper. It was just what Arsenal needed at that time.
Nwaneri was the spark that lifted everyone for that final push. I would start him next weekend against Southampton. Honestly, I would have started him against Leicester.
I just think he’s ready. I wouldn’t even be worried if he were to start against PSG, not that I think he will. But the Southampton game would be perfect.
In the absen.