Nwaneri Shows why he’s Earned Arteta’s Trust

Arsenal’s excellent 17-year-old Nwaneri again showed why there is so much hype and excitement about his future in the game.

The academy graduate has been given the task of filling in for Bukayo Saka on the right hand side of Arsenal’s attack while the England international is out injured. The teenager has repaid that faith in him with eight goals in 28 games in all competitions.

That goal return puts him alongside some of England’s most iconic young players.

Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney scored nine goals each in all competitions when they were aged 17 or younger and Nwaneri now has 16 days before his 18th birthday to try to match or beat that record.

“I don’t think that he needs any pushing. You see every time what the intention is,” Arteta said. “If it comes, it comes and it’s great.

“I’m really impressed with the way he behaved and the way he played. It’s about consistency and now doing it again three days later in another big stadium.”

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Nwaneri also became the third youngest player to score a goal in a knockout stage match in the Champions League after Bojan in April 2008 (17 and 217 days) and Jude Bellingham in April 2021 (17 and 289 days).

“He’s 17 years old and he’s on the biggest stage,” Rice said.

“We’ve taken [the youngsters] under our wing and they deserve to be playing. You should see them train they way they have no fear and want to perform.

“Even if Saka was here Ethan would be still getting minutes because he’s that good and works so hard in training. We have so many top young players.”

Nwaneri was joined in the starting XI by his team-mate from the academy Myles Lewis-Skelly and the 18-year-old also impressed despite being withdrawn in the first half to avoid him getting sent off.

Lewis-Skelly, who had been booked earlier, put in a late tackle on Richard Ledezma and although he was unpunished, Arteta substituted him moments later.

“They play like they have been here for many years,” captain Odegaard said.

“So much quality and confidence, they’re ready for it. I’m not worried about them, we enjoy having them in the team and they have a great attitude.”

Odegaard, who himself started playing senior football at 15 years old, believes that Lewis-Skelly can use his early withdrawal as a learning experience.

“He took that really well,” he added. “He knew it was a tricky position to be in. He was on a yellow and had a tough challenge too. He took it well and we’re all there to support and I’m sure he will learn from that too.”