Mikel Arteta tipped to consider dropping Martin Odegaard with ‘superb’ Arsenal star

Mikel Arteta’s side face a tough trip to Anfield at the weekend (Picture: Getty)

Nigel Winterburn reckons that Ethan Nwaneri ’s encouraging display against Leeds United might have Mikel Arteta considering whether to start the Arsenal teenager instead of Martin Odegaard against Liverpool.

Arsenal made it two wins from two to start the new Premier League season with a thumping 5-0 win over Leeds last weekend.

But it was not all positive for the Gunners at the Emirates, with key attackers Bukayo Saka and Odegaard both having to come off due to injury.

While Saka looks set for a more extended spell on the sidelines , there is optimism that Odegaard could return in time for Sunday’s blockbuster clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

However, Winterburn wonders whether Nwaneri’s different profile could offer an enticing option to Arteta after the 18-year-old impressed when replacing Odegaard last weekend.

‘When Nwaneri came on in Odegaard’s position, he played a slightly different role,’ Winterburn told Metro via NewBettingSites.uk .

‘When Odegaard plays, he has that really good link-up with Saka on the right side, but I liked seeing Nwaneri take up a different position and demand the ball more.

Ethan Nwaneri impressed off the bench against Leeds (Picture: Getty)

‘He got on the ball a lot more, and his passing was excellent. He’s got that superb ability to go past a player in midfield as well if Arteta is looking for something different.’

Another Arsenal youngster who left their mark on last weekend’s encounter was Max Dowman, who came on to make his league debut at just 15 years old.

The midfielder offered an instant threat down the right wing and won the penalty for Viktor Gyokeres’ second goal.

But despite that impressive performance and Saka’s likely absence, Winterburn thinks Arteta will err on the side of caution despite calls for Dowman to be given his maiden league start.

Martin Odegaard is a doubt for Sunday’s trip to Anfield (Picture: Getty)

‘I think it would be a huge call to start him at the moment,’ the former Arsenal full-back said.

‘He’s ben integrated into the squad for a while now so Mikel Arteta and the rest of the squad know what this young man can produce.

‘Everybody is raving about him but what Mikel is trying to do is to keep that hype down to a reasonable level.

‘He’s got super confidence and super ability but my gut feeling is he won’t start for now. But I think Arteta has shown that he won’t be afraid to bring him on.’

Eberechi Eze could make his debut at the weekend (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal’s attacking options could be boosted further should Eberechi Eze make his first appearance in a matchday squad after signing from Crystal Palace.

Eze should offer Arteta vital versatility across the midfield, but Winterburn suspects the England international may ultimately find his home on the left of Arsenal’s attack.

‘I’m not hiding from the fact that I’m so excited to watch him in an Arsenal shirt because we know the level of performances he’s produced for Crystal Palace,’ he said.

‘We know what we are getting. I think he can play off the right but also come inside. It will be interesting to see how Mikel Arteta sees the lineup and sees him playing.

‘It may change slightly on fitness and injuries, but I think we’ll see him come in off that left side instead of (Gabriel) Martinelli, but we will just have to wait and see.’