Mikel Areta has found himself I a great fix after one of his most reliable players in the Arsenal squad, Martin Odegaard got injured while representing his country Norway. The Manager will now have to do without his captain and creative midfielder.
This has come at a bad time just after he sold Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham and loaned Fabio Vieira back to FC Porto. The club is now left with no natural replacement for Martin Odegaard in the creative midfield role.
There are however some utility players in the Arsenal squad who can occupy that position and still deliver. Ethan Nwaneri could be the closest player to fill Martin Odegaard’s shoes. The young player showed his prowess in the pre-season and he was also promoted to the first team. He has all the capabilities, what he lacks is only experience because he has not played so many games with the senior team.
Mikel Arteta can however take the gamble because he can have his breakthrough through this rare opportunity. This is the time that the Manager can show some belief in the young lad and give him the opportunity to show the world what he has in store this season for the club.
Kai Havertz is a versatile player and a player maker too, he can be deployed temporarily in that position so that he can support the forward line with his creativity.
Leandro Trossard is another underrated Arsenal player who is so versatile and can play in different positions. H is a player who has always delivered whenever called upon. Many people underrate him yet he is such a good player who does so much for the club.
Raheem Sterling is also available and he is also another utility player who can also handle that position very well.
Oleksandr Zinchenko can also play in that role. That is what used to be his natural position before Pep Guardiola turned him into a left back.
Mikel Merino too can fill that gap but the only problem is that, he is also still a doubt for the game after picking up an injury. The options are therefore many for Mikel Arteta and he is the one to choose the player he thinks will deliver.
