Arsenal latest: Ethan Nwaneri decision explained as Mikel Arteta shares private conversation

Arsenal maintained their Premier League title charge with victory over Sunderland, whilst youngster Ethan Nwaneri endured another difficult outing on loan at Marseille

Arsenal solidified their position at the top of the Premier League with a decisive 3-0 win over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Even without the creative prowess of Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, the Gunners controlled the game from the start.

The deadlock was broken in the 42nd minute when summer recruit Martin Zubimendi demonstrated his technical skills, connecting with a Leandro Trossard pull-back to deliver a clean, outside-of-the-boot shot that grazed the inside of the post before finding the back of the net.

Sunderland displayed moments of tenacity early in the second half, pushing David Raya into a clever save from Chemsdine Talbi, but the introduction of Viktor Gyökeres effectively sealed the match. The Swedish striker doubled the lead in the 66th minute, crafting a low finish into the near post just six minutes after being subbed in.

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Gyökeres then secured a third in injury time, tapping in from close quarters following a selfless square pass from Gabriel Martinelli during a counter-attack. After Manchester City’s victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s team remain six points clear at the top of the Premier League table as they aim to secure the top spot after three consecutive runner-up finishes.

With every match becoming increasingly crucial, the stakes are rising as the Gunners prepare to face Brentford on Thursday evening. football.london examines some of the key Arsenal stories making the headlines.

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Nwaneri substitution explained

As Arteta’s team continue to excel in the Premier League, January saw teenage prospect Ethan Nwaneri being loaned to French side Marseille, allowing him to secure regular first-team football after limited opportunities earlier in the campaign. Yet the 18 year old has endured a challenging spell following an encouraging start in France, with his team suffering a heavy defeat to league leaders PSG on Sunday.

The Mediterranean club were dealt a crushing 5-0 defeat, with Nwaneri facing the embarrassment of being withdrawn at the interval for the second consecutive match. Former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, now at the helm of Marseille, addressed his decision to substitute the young player, emphasising the importance of ‘protecting’ the attacker following his January arrival.

“As for Nwaneri, he wasn’t having a great night,” De Zerbi said. “He wasn’t getting much support from his teammates. He needed to be protected, like all young players.”

Private Arteta conversation comes to light

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has disclosed what he said to Viktor Gyokeres after informing the Swedish striker he wouldn’t be in the starting XI for the weekend’s fixture against Sunderland. Whilst the Gunners boss chose to start Gabriel Jesus, Gyokeres was brought on during the second period, replacing Jesus on the hour mark before netting a brace.

After the match, Arteta confirmed he had already envisaged the £63.5million summer recruit coming off the bench to influence proceedings. Speaking to Viaplay Fotball, Arteta said: “He’s in a really good run at the moment. When he saw the lineup and he wasn’t in, his reaction was immediately… ready! I told him: ‘You’re going to be coming on and you can make a huge impact!”.

Former Premier League striker-turned Viaplay pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft then questioned whether Arteta had specified the precise timing of Gyokeres’ introduction. The Gunners boss responded: “Not the exact minutes because I don’t know that.

“But the fact that he was going to play a big part and we’re going to need him to win the game.”