This is a busy time for anyone working in Arsenal's media department. New sporting director Andrea Berta is signing at an almost unprecedented pace in the club's history. Therefore, the media team must be having a headache in announcing a new contract on social networks.
However, player scouting is not the only task Berta faces. Since officially taking over this position on March 30, he has also played a key role in retaining talents. Gabriel Magalhaes and Myles Lewis-Skelly have committed to a long-term future with the Gunners, with Ethan Nwaneri the next name.
Having entered the final 12 months of his contract, there were concerns at the Emirates that Nwaneri would leave on a free transfer. But instead, he agreed to sign a new contract, extending his time with Arsenal.
Nwaneri's talent is obvious to anyone who has ever seen him play. Although there are still questions about how he will integrate into coach Mikel Arteta's squad. Although the path to the starting lineup is not easy, there are still many reasons to believe that the 18-year-old player will make his mark in the coming seasons.
When the British media reported that negotiations between Arsenal and Nwaneri on a new contract were entering the finishing stage, they also did not forget to mention the next plan. Specifically, it is to experiment this young talent in the central role instead of continuing to play on the wing as before.
Arsenal's recruitment of Noni Madueke from Chelsea shows that Nwaneri's chances of playing on the right wing - where Bukayo Saka is almost irreplaceable - will be significantly reduced. Meanwhile, Nwaneri is not an ideal choice for the left midfielder position, which has not yet been formed in Arteta's strongest squad. However, this is a role that Nwaneri is willing to take on if necessary.
"You can see that sometimes I am a natural midfielder. But I think if the coach wants you to play in a certain position, you have to do your best. I am not afraid to compete anywhere.
If I play for Arsenal, I will always be happy to play and give my all to the team. In fact, I have played as a false number 9 a few times. I think I can play in any position that the coach needs," Nwaneri said last month.
The arrival of Madueke will certainly affect the way Nwaneri is used. However, that is also true for Martin Zubimendi - a rookie brought in by Arsenal from Real Sociedad to organize the play from midfield.
In theory, Zubimendi will help number 10 - whether Martin Odegaard or Nwaneri - be freed from the responsibility of creativity in lower positions. Thereby, allowing them to advance higher and become a real threat in the penalty area.
As an attacking midfielder, Odegaard has scored 15 goals in the Premier League in the 2022-2023 season. But since then, the Norwegian international has only scored a total of 11 goals in the last two seasons, often having to drop deep to support the ball.
With a direct playing style, dribbling ability and good goalscoring instinct, Nwaneri can completely take advantage of this tactical change.
