September 19th 2024.
Ethan Nwaneri, the 17-year-old rising star, has yet to start for Arsenal's first team, but that might change sooner than expected. Two years ago, he made history by becoming the youngest player to ever play in the Premier League at just 15 years old in a brief appearance against Brentford. While his progression has been carefully managed, manager Mikel Arteta may have no choice but to trust him with a starting position in the midfield due to a few key injuries.
Unfortunately, summer signing Mikel Merino is still out with a shoulder injury and club captain Martin Odegaard's ankle injury is worse than initially thought. While Arsenal has experienced midfielders like Declan Rice, Jorginho, and Thomas Partey, Nwaneri brings a unique skill set to the team, and there is evidence to suggest that he is ready to prove himself.
Nwaneri joined Arsenal's youth academy at the age of nine and quickly became a key player in the Under-18 team at the age of 14. By the 2022-23 season, he caught the attention of Jack Wilshere, who praised his performance after a game against Manchester United where Nwaneri scored two goals. He then moved up to the Under-21 team and eventually began training with the first team.
In September of that year, Nwaneri made his Premier League debut against Brentford and later made another appearance off the bench against West Ham. He has also made an impact at the international level, making his Under-16 debut at just 14 years old and scoring 15 goals in 28 appearances for the Under-17 team.
Arteta has followed in the footsteps of his mentor Pep Guardiola by carefully managing Nwaneri's development and not rushing him into the first team. However, after impressive performances during Arsenal's pre-season tour, Nwaneri has been a part of all four matchday squads this season and Arteta is confident that he is ready to be relied upon.
Nwaneri's development has not gone unnoticed by his teammates, with Jorginho praising his growth and potential. With Odegaard's injury, Nwaneri may have the opportunity to step in and fill his shoes in the coming weeks. While Arteta may also choose to use Leandro Trossard in a deeper role, Nwaneri's versatility and attacking abilities make him a valuable asset to the team.
As Arsenal faces Manchester City this weekend, the decision to play Nwaneri may require caution, but his talents may be better suited for upcoming Champions League, Carabao Cup, and league fixtures. One thing is certain, Nwaneri is more than ready to take the next step when given the chance.
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