Martin Keown suggests player who could replace Bukayo Saka after playing 'Martin Odegaard role' at Arsenal

Martin Keown believes Ethan Nwaneri could be the man to best replace Bukayo Saka at Arsenal.

Saka faces the prospect of be out until February after suffering a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace the weekend.

His injury will be a big blow, and talkSPORT reporter Ian Abrahams revealed as a commentator that Saka looked emotional as he walked towards the tunnel against Crystal Palace, describing him as “distressed”.

A key player for Mikel ArtetaFor the Gunners' side, they will fear the prospect of being without the England star for more than five weeks and with that, Arteta must find a viable replacement to keep their title on track.

But according to Arsenal legend Keown, it is the club's 17-year-old sensation who could offer a surprise solution.

Speaking to talkSPORT.com, Keown said: “I don't know of any player who has created more chances for his colleagues in the Premier League this season, so obviously it's going to be a big failure.

“It's up to someone to step up, maybe (Ethan) Nwaneri, who has been playing the role of (Martin) Odegaard, maybe could come forward and give us something different.

“Jesus suddenly scored five goals in a week, that's been a long time coming so he needs to keep it up.

“But it's in that final third where the most creativity is needed and it might be less now that you're losing one of the best players in the Premier League.”

Nwaneri has played for Arsenal 16 times this season, and only three of them were starts.

However, with four goals to his name, the 17-year-old looked more than comfortable lining up for the Gunners.

But replacing Saka for Arsenal will not be an easy task.

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Providing an update on the 23-year-old Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta He told reporters on Friday: “Things are not looking good. He will be out for many weeks.”

Saka has been in incredible form this season, having scored nine goals and provided 13 assists in 24 games so far.