Walcott insists Arsenal youngster cannot start against Spurs in Odegaard’s absence | OneFootball

Arsenal will be without captain Martin Odegaard for their trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday after he twisted his ankle on Monday night.

Manager Mikel Arteta has a selection headache ahead of the derby, and there are suggestions Ethan Nwaneri could be an option to start in the place of the Norwegian.

However, former Arsenal star Theo Walcott does not think that is a good idea, insisting the 17-year-old Hale End academy graduate is not ready to start in such a high-profile match.

“I would probably expect (Kai) Havertz to drop back into that role and see (Gabriel) Jesus up front,” the BBC pundit told football.london.

“Of course, you’ve got Raheem, who can play and is a lot more experienced, but someone in that position again, I can’t quite see that.

“But I wouldn’t expect Nwaneri to start in that position. I think he’s one of those who likes to come inside, but to start in the derby when you’ve got a lot of players out – I’m not quite sure yet if he’s ready for that.

“But, of course, make an impact because again, when I came through, I was used as a bit of an impact player at first just to find my feet, and it worked.

“I think when you have that as a player, eventually, yes, you do need to take the next step when the manager gives you the opportunity and actually go for it, but I just don’t think this is the right timing right now.

“He had a great pre-season great kid, good athlete. But it’s one of those where we just need to take a step back – which we won’t because I know that from being on the other side of it – and just let this guy develop.”

Nwaneri was in fine form for Arsenal in pre-season, starting against Bournemouth and Manchester United and coming on in most of the other friendlies.

He bagged ten goals in 13 Premier League 2 games last term, notching six others in two FA Youth Cup games, and he will back himself to impress if given a chance against Tottenham.

However, Nwaneri may have to wait a while for his first Premier League start, as Arteta is not in a rush to field him in the first team.