Martin Keown has urged Mikel Arteta to start Ethan Nwaneri against Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal will lock horns with the French giants at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, knowing a win could be crucial in the quest for qualification from the new-look Champions League group phase.
The Gunners were held to a goalless draw against Atalanta on the opening week, while PSG enjoyed a 1-0 win vs Girona. Arteta will be determined to finally secure three points, but Arsenal will have to face the Parisians without Martin Odegaard, who continues to nurse his way back to full fitness.
The 25-year-old midfielder picked up a 'significant' injury during the September international break. While playing for Norway, Odegaard was bundled over and he landed awkwardly on his left ankle - and the playmaker was later pictured on crutches upon his return to London.
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When asked if the skipper could feature before October's international break, Arteta said it would be a 'surprise'. So, with the Gunners in need of a creative spark in the middle of the park, Keown has tipped youngster, Nwaneri, to start against PSG tonight - in a game which will be show live on Amazon Prime Video.
Speaking on TNT Sports, the Arsenal hero said: "What was interesting was when Nwaneri came on, I think he demonstrated that he should've been on sooner. We've now got a very big game coming up against PSG... I'm wondering whether the youngster gets a start in that.
"Based on what he's done over their last two matches, I think he looked really assured, composed and he looked classy in the midweek cup tie. You look and think at the opposition and get some context, but when he came off the bench, I thought he lifted the level.
Keown added: "Within seconds [of coming on], he's shooting and testing the goalkeeper and very nearly scores from there. I think it's an interesting one and I think the thrust he has - he's in a hurry to make things happen. PSG might be the perfect night for him, but even if he doesn't start the game, he's shown now he deserves to come on in the game."
