Nwaneri shows where route to Arsenal first XI could come

Ethan Nwaneri is fresh from his breakthrough season at Arsenal and is now representing England at the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia.

Nwaneri made an impressive substitute appearance in the Young Lions' opening game against Slovakia, immediately putting the ball through the legs of a defender and starting an England attack.

Head coach Lee Carsley and the England set-up have been careful with how they have used Nwaneri so far during the tournament.

That is because the 18-year-old, who played a lot of football at the beginning and mid-point of the season, featured less as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard returned to full fitness.

However, Nwaneri still made 37 appearances for the Gunners, scoring nine goals.

Carsley handed Nwaneri a start for the second group match against Slovenia, but started the midfielder on the left of his 4-2-2-2 formation, with Harvey Elliott on the right and James McAtee and Jonathan Rowe as strikers.

Nwaneri's natural position is more central, but he has excelled for Arsenal on the right, filling in for Saka when he was injured.

He grew into the game against Slovenia but his best moments came in the second half when he did shift to the right side and linked well with Elliott.

Nwaneri did manage to beat a player and get into his 'trademark' position - where he curls the ball from the edge of the box with his left foot into the far corner - but this time his effort flew over the bar.

Saka is Arsenal's key player and Odegaard the captain, so next season, if he is able to play from the left, that could be a route for Nwaneri to continue his progression and get significant minutes for Mikel Arteta's side.