Nwaneri has impressively struck eight goals already this season.
The stars seemed to have aligned. In his mind, he was going to be a reinforcement for Gabriel Martinelli and Saka. The pitch from Arsenal to Sterling was that he would not come in as a starter, but reinforce both the left and right wings. Those around him are surprised he has not been given a chance down the middle as a striker, particularly after Kai Havertz’s injury. But PSR rules, which United are perilously close to, put paid to the move happening. It was the hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka on December 21 against Crystal Palace that thrust the youngster to centre stage, as he made his league debut against Brentford on New Year’s Day and has started the last four matches. Nwaneri has impressively struck eight goals already this season. The 17-year-old has long been identified as a burgeoning talent, but the north London club didn’t want to rush his development. United were also hoping Sterling would provide a big brother figure for the struggling Marcus Rashford. Crystal Palace and Tottenham were also in the hunt for his signature. It’s likely that the Gunners wouldn’t have opted for Sterling if they knew how much Ethan Nwaneri was to develop in such a short space of time.
His limited game time in the first half of this season didn’t warrant raised eyebrows because of Arsenal’s front three of Saka, Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli. In terms of the relationship between Arteta and Sterling, it is different compared to when Arteta was assistant coach at Man City between 2016 and 2019, where the winger was in his prime. It’s from February onwards, after Havertz’s season-ending hamstring sustained during the north London club’s Dubai trip, which has been trickier to decipher. Going back to the playing side, without Saka, Martinelli – who only just returned from injury at United on Sunday – and Havertz, a spot for Sterling in the front three was there for the taking. They bonded really well and still do talk regularly. Most players across the league would struggle to get into the team ahead of such a trio. But there is of course a difference in communicating with a boss than an assistant coach. The player is understood to respect the transparency he is shown by his boss, which includes on team selection, no matter how difficult that news may be. The pair were said to be ‘glued to the hip’ at Man City, as Arteta spent hours experimenting in using him in different positions in training.
In the Gunners’ 2-0 victory over Leicester on February 15, Sterling was, time and again, thwarted as he tried to take on opponents in a display at odds to what he has produced in seasons gone by. What is for certain that the time for Sterling to make an impact at Arsenal is running out fast. It’s believed that Arteta’s averseness to play Sterling is down to a reluctance to wait for him to build confidence and momentum, opting instead to pick players who are ready in the here and now. Since then, he has not started a league match. The winger is said to be working tirelessly in training and has a strong desire to play. That has included guidance on how to navigate the media. He was signed for more than his on the pitch impact, though. His energy behind the scenes has particularly stood out to those around the club. For Arsenal, the deal to bring him in is still seen as financially shrewd. Mail Sport understands that he rushed back to make himself available while not being fully fit because of Saka’s hamstring injury. That sharp, daring player of old, who could leave an opponent for dust or use his silky dribbling skills in navigating tight areas, was hard to find. The winger has only started four league matches and just as he was starting to build some rhythm, he sustained a knee injury in mid-December; not ideal circumstances to build momentum in, nor confidence. They are only paying 30 per cent (£97,500) out of his £325,000 weekly wages. When it comes to why he hasn’t made an impact, there are several factors. One is a lack of playing time this season. The ex-England man has had an influence on youngsters like Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly in training, helping to provide pointers.
Taylor Swift fans left devastated by the cancellation of the Austrian leg of the sold-out Eras Tour have been gathering in Vienna today to sing the star’s hits together. Annmarie Timmins, a journalist who traveled from the United States for Thursday’s show, said she and her husband were waiting for the subway after dinner when they heard the news. Disappointed Swifties have now vowed to ‘shake it off’ – a nod to the American singer’s 2014 track – with defiant fans taking to the streets of the Austrian capital to make the most of things. Fans will likely be heartened after a statement emerged from a source close to Swift saying she hopes to return to Vienna ‘as soon as possible in the future’. While fans described themselves as ‘sad Swifties’ and said they had been left ‘heartbroken’ by the they also said they understood authorities’ decision to call off the shows. She is very conscious of how disappointed her fans in Austria are,’ the insider told The Mirror. Fans have expressed their gratitude that they are safe and their understanding about why the concert was cancelled. Many were still smiling and proudly wearing their outfits – which are often linked to Swift’s songs – out and about in the Austrian capital. But many had travelled from across Europe and were left thousands out of pocket after forking out to attend. Crowds of fans gathered in Cornelius Strasse street, meeting around a tree which has become known as the ‘Swiftie tree’. But as news broke of the cancellation last night, Swifties took to social media to express their upset, lamenting months of preparation for the performance. We would have been there tomorrow. Many spent thousands of euros on travel, hotels and food in one of the most expensive European capitals. Pictures shows scores of fans wearing their elaborate concert outfits and friendship bracelets meeting and dancing in the city, while Swift-themed events have also been put on at clubs and other venues to try to make up for the cancellation. Many have been comforting one another after the shocking news emerged last night that police had foiled an Islamist terror attack on the shows, with the Austrian chancellor saying today that ‘a tragedy was prevented’. One mother said: ‘I’m shocked and at the same time glad that they found out. Thousands gathered around Stephansplatz, the city’s central square, with people seen strumming guitars and singing along to Swift’s music. The tree became a sort of shrine as Swifties tied their friendship bracelets – which have become a must-have at the star’s concerts – onto its branches.