Arteta believes, in the long term, the 17-year-old could develop into a striker and he was occasionally deployed as a ‘false nine’ when playing for Arsenal’s academy teams. Nwaneri certainly has the finishing required to become a No9.

Mikel Arteta is eager for Arsenal to strengthen their squad before the January transfer window closes - even if they cannot sign a new striker. Arteta has stressed the need for the Gunners to add an attacker after Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus suffered injuries.

Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has warned Mikel Arteta against signing £65m target Matheus Cunha. The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the Brazilian as they look to bolster Arteta’s attacking options before the transfer deadline.