Over the past few months, Arsenal have shown that they are more than capable of winning the Premier League, despite their many failures in recent years.
Mikel Arteta has instilled a winning mentality in his team in recent months, with the Gunners able to boast a nine-point lead with seven games remaining.
However, winger Bukayo Saka has struggled to reach his best in North London, with just nine goals and assists in 27 league games this season.
The 24-year-old has scored just two goals in his last 15 games in the top flight, and the England international has fallen well short of the lofty expectations he set for himself.
There’s no denying that he’s an important member of the team, but he could slip down the pecking order, especially after several players have flourished at the Emirates.
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Arsenal made a number of big-money additions during the summer to boost their title chances, exemplified by the £52m signing of land winger Noni Madueke.
The 24-year-old has registered a combined 10 goals and assists in 30 games this season and has contributed to a goal in every three games he has played since then.
His latest goal came in tonight’s FA Cup win over Mansfield, making him arguably the Gunners’ star performer and helping them move one step closer to another trophy.
However, Maduke is not the only forward who has managed to attract attention, with 16-year-old sensation Max Daumann also developing beyond expectations.
The youngster has already made seven appearances for the club’s first team this season and Arteta is hoping he can flourish in attacking areas.
His faith in the academy star was rewarded last weekend as Dowman produced a stunning solo goal to secure all three points at home to Everton.
Players who could take over Saka’s number 7 shirt
Saka has been the proud owner of the number seven shirt at Arsenal since the summer of 2020, before being handed the privilege following Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s departure.
The shirt is steeped in history, with winger Robert Pires wearing the same number for six years, including during the Gunners’ invincibility.
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The Englishman has certainly provided some special moments while wearing the same shirt. He currently has 68 goals while wearing the number 7 shirt.
However, his struggles have been clear for all to see in recent months, so the club may decide to trust other talents like Maduke and Dauman in the future.
The aforementioned two are not the only attackers who could snatch the shirt from the academy graduates, with fellow teenager Ethan Nwaneri also seen as having a big future in north London.
Like Dowman and Saka, he came from the Hale End Academy and even made an impact in the first team ranks right away, despite being only 19 years old.
The attacker has already made 51 appearances for the Gunners since making his breakthrough in September 2022, making him the youngest player in Premier League history.
Nwaneri’s tally of 10 goals under Arteta’s guidance highlights his ability to finish inside the final three, with Will Balsam describing the teenage sensation as “incredible”.
However, he is currently on loan at Marseille in France until the end of this season, and despite his young age, he is already attracting attention in Ligue 1.
Ethan Nwaneri – Statistics at Marseille | |
|---|---|
Statistics (every 90) | tally |
games played | 6 |
goals and assists | 2 |
Pass accuracy | 85% |
An opportunity has arisen | 2.1 |
A big opportunity has arisen | 0.4 |
dribbling success | 1.3 |
shot taken | 2.5 |
cross accuracy | 67% |
The youngster scored on his debut against Lens, hitting the back of the net from long range. He also showed his talent in the final third with the ball at his feet.
In terms of senior appearances for Emirates, Nwaneri also found the back of the net against Manchester City, showing he is capable of playing against Europe’s elite.
It is certainly early days for the North Londoner’s youngster, but he has already shown he has the ability to develop if given the chance by Arteta.
The 19-year-old returned to the first-team ranks this summer after a loan spell and could be handed further first-team responsibilities in the 2026/27 season.
If he continues on his current trajectory with the Gunners, there is no reason why he cannot remove Saka from the starting eleven – and even steal his number in the process.
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