Ex-Premier League star says Arteta must start Nigerian-born forward to overturn PSG tie

With Arsenal facing a mammoth task in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, former Premier League star Nigel Reo-Coker has dropped a bold suggestion that could shock even the most seasoned Gunners supporters.

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The ex-West Ham United captain believes Mikel Arteta should ditch Gabriel Martinelli from the starting eleven and instead hand a rare but golden opportunity to Nigerian-born teenage sensation, Ethan Nwaneri.

Speaking on CBS Sports, Reo-Coker was clear about what Arsenal need to do to rescue their Champions League hopes.

With the pressure ramping up ahead of the decisive clash, he stressed the importance of fearlessness, something he believes the young Ethan Nwaneri embodies.

Reo-Coker said, "In those types of games, you want players who are fearless, who are going to go out there and just do it and not let the pressure of the situation get to them.

"You know what I would do? I would start with [Ethan] Nwaneri. Ethan, the young lad at Arsenal, because these are the games young players can thrive in.

"I hate when people say ‘oh, they're too young’ about players; if you're good enough, you're old enough. I would let Ethan go out there and do his thing.

According to the former midfielder, Martinelli hasn't shown enough composure or end product in the high-pressure moments.

And with Thomas Partey returning from suspension, Reo-Coker also noted that a shift in Arsenal’s shape would push Mikel Merino further up the pitch while slotting Nwaneri into a more fluid attacking role.

Reo-Coker’s suggestion may sound audacious, but it’s not completely without logic. Arsenal were somewhat toothless in the first leg against PSG, and Martinelli, who usually thrives on space, struggled to impose himself against a compact French defence.

Throwing in an unpredictable element like Nwaneri, who has impressed since becoming Arsenal’s youngest-ever Premier League player, could give Arteta’s men the spark they lacked in Paris.