Mikel Arteta may be forced to make Ethan Nwaneri Arsenal decision he probably won't like

Ethan Nwaneri has been one of Arsenal's shining lights this season in what has otherwise been - so far - a disappointing campaign.

The 17-year-old has been ever-present among the first team squad since pre-season training started in July, with Mikel Arteta handing the teenager 18 competitive appearances. In that time Nwaneri has racked up five goals and generally been very impressive in the 477 minutes he has been on the pitch.

It was a blow for the Gunners, then, when the Hale Ender picked up a muscle injury during Arsenal's draw at Brighton at the start of January. Nwaneri has been absent for the past four games, with his side picking up just one win against Tottenham in that period. In truth, his impact has been missed.

It will be a boost to all concerned that the teenager has returned to training and is edging closer to a return. football.london was in attendance at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Tuesday to witness the open training session ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb, with Nwaneri among those training. Riccardo Calafiori was also in attendance, although William Saliba was not seen after picking up a hamstring injury last week.

With Arsenal in Champions League action on Wednesday before travelling to Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, we could well see Nwaneri make his return in the upcoming two games. Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Calafiori, Gabriel Jesus and Saliba are also either injured or nearing a return so Arteta could really do with Nwaneri back in the squad.

After beating Brentford on New Year's Day, Arteta spoke glowingly of Nwaneri and made his feelings on the youngster clear. “The game became very difficult from yesterday because, again, we lost some players and had certain issues around the camp," the Spaniard said. "We had to deal with that, we made some changes, Ethan [Nwaneri] making his Premier League debut, anyone that you put there, [they had the] right attitude, right level of performance and that sustains the level of the team.

“Ethan’s played here before, so that’s a nice story, to get back to this one, I think he was really composed, really determined, taking risks, taking initiative. Very impressive.”

Arteta has been reluctant to play Nwaneri consistently, however. The Spaniard and the club do not want to ask too much of the teenager too soon. The time may have come for that to change, though, and that could start against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.