ETHAN NWANERI (£1.9m) rose to the occasion for Arsenal on Saturday.
Mikel Merino (£3.3m) scored a brace off the bench and deserves plenty of credit for his effective showing as emergency striker but it was the Gunners’ 17 year-old starlet who inspired the visitors to victory over Leicester at the King Power.
Nwaneri banked 14 points at Leicester[/caption]
In the absence of Bukayo Saka (£6.6m), Gabriel Martinelli (£4.1m), Gabriel Jesus (£3.7m) and Kai Havertz (£4.7m), Mikel Arteta named a front three of Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling (£1.7m) and Leandro Trossard (£3.9m).
While the experienced 30-year-olds failed to provide much threat, the promising teenager dragged his side along with flashes of individual brilliance.
However, after Nwaneri hit the woodwork twice, it seemed as if Arsenal were going to drop points against relegation-threatened opponents, something that may have all but ended their title challenge.
But the Hale End graduate did not relent and it was his picture-perfect cross that presented Merino with a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the 81st minute – the Spain international obliged with a close-range header to keep spirits high in North London.
Merino and Nwaneri delivered for Arsenal[/caption]
An assist was the least Nwaneri deserved and, thanks to Dream Team’s bonus point system, he was duly rewarded for his talismanic performance.
When all was said and done he banked 14 points in total, including the maximum of FIVE bonus points – a relatively rare feat.
ETHAN NWANERI’S PLAYER PERFORMANCE MARKS AGAINST LEICESTER (5 BONUS POINTS):
- 91% pass completion rate (+3)
- 7 successful dribbles (+7)
- 3 successful crosses (+3)
- 1 interception (+1)
- 1 foul won (+1)
Last week, we published an article detailing Nwaneri’s potential and Dream Team managers who took a punt on the youngster were handsomely rewarded.
Looking ahead to Gameweek 25, he will surely start against both West Ham and Nottingham Forest and must therefore be considered a savvy option, especially at the low, low price of £1.9m.
Arteta must rely on Nwaneri while other attackers are sidelined[/caption]
The Hammers are languishing in 16th and while Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are pushing for Champions League qualification, they did lose 3-0 to Arsenal back in November.
And who scored the hosts’ third goal at the Emirates that day? Yep, Nwaneri.
Despite a surge in popularity over the weekend, he currently features in 2.2% of teams at the time of writing.
At the very least he’s worthy of due consideration.
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