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.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has refused to be drawn on the club's chase of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins after his side's defeat of Girona in the Champions League on Wednesday night