Is this Ethan Nwaneri’s time to shine for the Gunners? With injuries to Martin Odegaard and summer signing Mikel Merino, the opportunity couldn’t be more promising.
Two years ago, Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history at 15 years and 181 days. Now, the 17-year-old is ready to show why his boss, Mikel Arteta, rates him so highly.
Ethan Nwaneri, it’s time to step up
Last weekend, the youngster made an encouraging cameo in the North London Derby. This week, he traveled to Italy for Arsenal’s Champions League opener against Atalanta. The star boy awaits his first start.
“We have to face it and use the opportunity as the kids have given us a lot of hope and right reasons to count on them. If we have to then we will, for sure,” the Spaniard revealed last week.
“He’s been doing really well, physically very mature, personally very mature, his game understanding has improved a lot. And then let him do. He has an enormous quality, a lot of talent and he needs the space to shine.”
Will Nwaneri start against Manchester City on Sunday? It’s more likely that Arteta will use the same lineup he selected against Spurs, with Jorginho and Thomas Partey featuring and Trossard dropping back.
But Nwaneri will still likely get on the pitch to showcase his talent. For 30 minutes, he could show Arteta what he’s missed the last couple of games: creativity.
Nwaneri’s fluidity, vision, and ability to escape play are exceptional. He proved that point during Arsenal’s pre-season tour in the United States and scored for the England U-19s against Germany during the last international break.
The Hale End graduate nearly switched allegiances to Manchester City and Chelsea in the summer of 2023. But he signed his first professional contract with Arsenal a year later, a statement of dedication.
If it’s not against City, it’s only a matter of time before Nwaneri enters the rotation more frequently. He needs minutes and could provide the much-needed attacking spark with Odegaard out another month.
This is Nwaneri’s golden opportunity, and Arteta should give him a shot — yes, even in big games like the one against City. The stone-faced kid needs a reason to smile.
Arsenal fans, do you trust Ethan Nwaneri to fill in?
