ARSENAL legend Cesc Fabregas suggested 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri could replace Martin Odegaard in the North London Derby.
The Gunners face rivals Tottenham on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but may be without Odegaard, 25, who poses as a major doubt.
The playmaker suffered an ankle injury during Norway’s Nations League match with Austria on Monday.
The ex-Real Madrid star limped off the pitch in tears after a rough challenge from Christoph Baumgartner.
The Norway international was later seen on crutches while boarding a flight back to London.
However, manager Mikel Arteta, who is also without the suspended Declan Rice and injured Mikel Merino, isn’t ruling Odegaard out of the weekend clash yet.
Fabregas, 37, believes Arteta still has options to fill in for the skipper, such as teenage attacking midfielder Nwaneri.
The England Under-19 international made headlines in 2022 when he became the youngest ever player to compete in the Premier League at the age of 15 years and 181 days old in a 3-0 win at Brentford.
The Arsenal legend also advised Arteta to try Leandro Trossard in midfield next to Thomas Partey and Jorginho.
Fabregas told the Planet Premier League podcast: “I have no doubts that if Mikel puts him [Nwaneri] in the starting XI or even during the game it’s because he has seen that he’s good enough to make an impact.
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“Obviously the consequences of Rice and Odegaard being out helps and makes it a little bit faster than he would have liked but definitely it means that he is on his mind.
“If he’s part of the squad it’s because he really believes that he can bring something to the table.
“I also would like to see Trossard in midfield. I know he likes to come from the wing but he has the capabilities and qualities to play that role of Odegaard. A little more offensive midfielder, No8, No10.
“I think he’s got the qualities to do that. Probably [Thomas] Partey and Jorginho will be the other two midfielders if I am not mistaken.
“But overall, it’s great to see young players making it into the Premier League.”
