Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has showered praise on young star Ethan Nwaneri, highlighting the extraordinary nature of his talent at just 17 years old.
And one may be wondering what sets Nwaneri apart from his peers.
Arteta emphasised that being part of one of Europe’s elite clubs at such a young age shows Nwaneri’s remarkable attributes.
He also noted that the young midfielder's future hinges on his ambition, bolstered by a solid support system.
Mikel Arteta's vision for Ethan Nwaneri's development
While predicting that Nwaneri’s journey may be difficult, Arteta has expressed huge confidence in his potential.
He acknowledged that when Nwaneri debuted in the Premier League, it was a strategic decision to express trust in him and secure his commitment to the club.
“It is rare to see a talent like this at 17 years old. When we gave him his debut in the Premier League, there was a lot of talk about it,” Mikel Arteta said in his pre-Newcastle press conference.
“We didn't do it because he was a gift; we did it because we knew the pathway that we wanted to build with him, and we wanted to send him a really strong sign about how much we trust him and how much we wanted him to stay with us. We are delighted to have him.
“At 17 years old, to be in a position like he is in at one of the biggest clubs in Europe, I think sums up really well the level that he has. What is going to happen in the future is mainly going to depend on him and how much he wants it.
“At the moment he wants it a lot and he's surrounded by the right people, and then you will need a crystal ball to see where he is going to be in a year, two years, or three years. My prediction is going to be very positive.”
Nwaneri made his second start of the season during Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Preston North End, earning the Player of the Match award after netting a goal, bringing his tally to three goals in two Carabao Cup appearances.
