Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted at the possibility of young midfielder Ethan Nwaneri starting in the highly anticipated Premier League showdown against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. With Arsenal facing injury concerns for key players, including Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber, Nwaneri may be called upon to step into the lineup.

Nwaneri has had limited involvement in the league this season, registering only 18 minutes across three substitute appearances, while calls from former players like Ian Wright urge Arteta to offer the 17-year-old more game time. In his pre-match press conference, Arteta confirmed that both Nwaneri and fellow young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly are being considered for a starting role.

Addressing the press, Arteta noted, “They are there, you know, they are in contention. They’re always giving us the option and the possibility to start the game. Myles came on the other night, and he did really well, Ethan the same. So they’re first-team players, they’re with us and we treat them and we value them in the same way as any other player.”

Nwaneri’s only start of the season came in Arsenal’s dominant 5-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup’s third round last month, a match where he impressed with his performance.