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Arsenal manager praises impact of 17-year-old winger Ethan Nwaneri after making full Premier League debut.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed the reasons behind his decision to hand 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri his first Premier League start against Brentford on New Year’s Day. Nwaneri, who became the youngest player in Premier League history when he made his debut at Brentford in 2022, was picked to start on the right flank in the same stadium where he made history.
Arteta dismissed suggestions that a sickness bug in the Arsenal camp led to Nwaneri’s selection. Instead, he emphasized that it was a strategic decision based on Nwaneri’s impressive performances in training and his potential to make an impact in the game. “It was a decision that I made because I thought he was the best player to play in the position to start the game and because there was a story there with his debut here,” Arteta explained.
Nwaneri’s performance against Brentford was nothing short of remarkable. He was involved in both of Arsenal’s second-half goals as they came back from a goal down to secure a 3-1 victory. Arteta praised his young player’s composure and ability to handle the pressure of the occasion. “He fully deserves that,” Arteta said, highlighting Nwaneri’s development and the patience required to nurture young talent.
The decision to start Nwaneri also had a touch of sentimentality, as Arteta mentioned the significance of the location and the player’s previous milestone at the stadium. “Sometimes that feeling comes in and you feel it is the right one and then who knows,” Arteta added, acknowledging the emotional aspect of the decision.
Arteta’s faith in Nwaneri paid off, as the young winger’s performance caught the eye of pundits and fans. Martin Keown, an Arsenal legend, praised Nwaneri’s bravery and potential, calling him “a really exciting prospect” for the club. Karen Carney agreed describing Nwaneri as “brave and bold” and predicting a bright future for the young talent.
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