Dream Team bosses can turn Arsenal injuries into...

DREAM TEAM managers might be able to work Arsenal's injury problems to their advantage. Bukayo Saka (£6.6m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£4.1m) aren't expected to return until March while Gabriel Jesus (£3.7m) and Kai Havertz (£4.7m) have both been ruled out for the remainder of the season. These absences have left the Gunners short in attack and while some Dream Team bosses will see that as a reason to stay clear, others might be tempted by bargain option Ethan Nwaneri (£1.9m).

Image Credit: The Sun [Nwaneri celebrating, part of Arsenal's Dream Team.]

Mikel Arteta has used the 17-year-old sparingly this season but he seemingly has little choice but to give the academy graduate a run in the side over the next few Gameweeks. And based on recent evidence, it's certainly not inconceivable that the teenager will rise to the challenge. Nwaneri, who features in just 0.7% of teams at the time of writing, has scored seven goals in all competitions this season at an impressive rate of one every 100 minutes.

Image Credit: The Sun [Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal celebrates scoring a goal.]

His two most recent strikes, against Girona and Manchester City in Gameweeks 21 and 22 respectively, were both expertly guided left-footed efforts from just outside the box, which is fast becoming his trademark goal. Consequently, he banked 21 points across his last three outings and that was before Martinelli and Havertz were deemed unavailable. The numbers suggest Nwaneri has the ability to supply more than his fair share of points if given enough minutes on the pitch.

Image Credit: The Sun [Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, at a training session.]

Leandro Trossard (£3.9m) and Raheem Sterling (£1.7m) are considerably more experienced but it's simply a fact that Nwaneri has scored more goals than the two 30-year-olds combined in 2024/25. Gaffers should consider this alternative option for Gameweek 24 as Arsenal have a favourable fixture in the form of a trip to 18th-placed Leicester. The Foxes were thrashed 4-0 by Everton in their last league game and beaten by a beleaguered Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round.

Whereas Arteta's side head into Saturday's fixture fresh off a mini break to Dubai, something that worked wonders for them last season. Looking further ahead, Arsenal are due to face West Ham and Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 25. Nuno Espirito Santo's side are flying high in third right now and should not be taken lightly but it's worth remembering that Forest lost 3-0 at the Emirates back in November.