Sensational Ethan Nwaneri transfer claim made by Arsenal legend

Arsenal should be looking to recruit an additional wide attacker in the January transfer window, even if it means forcing Ethan Nwaneri down the Emirates pecking order.

That is the claim made by Gunners legend Martin Keown, who has explained that if Mikel Arteta’s side are to be serious Premier League challengers to Liverpool, they will likely have to invest in attack.

Nwaneri, 17, has impressed in his 17 appearances for the Gunners this season, during which he has scored four goals.

He enhanced his reputation as the greatest talent to come out of Arsenal’s Hale End academy by turning in a strong display on New Year’s Day as he started as the Gunners eased past Brentford 3-1, but if Arteta’s side are to go all the way to the title this season, Keown claims that they need more.

Asked on TNT Sport which position he would recruit in for Arsenal in an ideal world, he said: “It would be in the wide position, but then you’re shutting the door on Nwaneri. But if you don’t buy the players for this group then you’re doing them a disservice. You want to given them success and it might have to come from outside.

“There’s a lot in the group, there’s no doubt. But that injury to Saka, if Mohamed Salah gets the equivalent injury at Liverpool, then their numbers change massively. So you may have to go into the market.

“He’s only 17. As well as he’s done today, he may want to buy in the wide area, an inside forward, someone who can play wide or down the middle. But everyone will be looking at that type of player. It would certainly improve Arsenal.”

Ethan Nwaneri: One for Arsenal’s future

Although Keown believes that area needs reinforced immediately, there is no question that he does not think Nwaneri has an enormous part to play in Arsenal’s future.

Despite limited game time, the winger already has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €6.1 million, which is a figure that is set to explode in the coming months as he gets more exposure to the professional game.