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Micah Richards makes bold prediction about Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri after watching him against Leicester

Lucas Arnold

Mon 17 February 2025 9:05, UK

Despite only being 17-years-old, Ethan Nwaneri picked up yet another Player of the Match award for Arsenal against Leicester City.

Nwaneri lasted the full 90 minutes for Arsenal in their 2-0 win, something he hasn’t done too often under Mikel Arteta to date.

Arteta has always been careful to introduce the likes of Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly slowly, although that process has had to be hastened this season owing to injuries.

Heading into the ‘business end’ of the season, both Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly are currently guaranteed starters for Arteta, a sign of their talent and strong mentality.

Ian Wright was amazed by Lewis-Skelly against Leicester, and well, it’s almost hard to avoid praise for his fellow Hale End Academy graduate.

Micah Richards thinks Ethan Nwaneri can become a striker for Arsenal

Speaking on ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast, Micah Richards couldn’t stop praising Nwaneri, a performance against Leicester that he described as ‘dazzling’.

And interestingly, when prompted by Gary Lineker, Richards concluded that Nwaneri could be a striker for Arsenal long-term.

READ MORE: Ruud van Nistelrooy disagrees with something he’s just heard about Arsenal after beating Leicester City

Richards began: “Oh, he’s dazzling, isn’t it? Scintillating. The way he moves, his confidence, his left foot.

“I mean, we’ve eulogised about Saka many times, but he’s really come to the fore at the right time. What a player. 17 years of age.

“His technique. He was the best player on a pitch by far. You know, all he was missing was a goal, really.”

Lineker said: “Where does he play when Saka’s fit?”

Richards: “I’d put him up front. I’d put him up front.”

Lineker: “I think he can play anywhere up top.”

Richards: “Correct. Put him [there] because of how Arsenal play, the like players who can press, the like players who can link. Havertz has done that role.

“We all think Havertz is better as a 10. I think he’s got that. And they can switch positions, him and Saka, the way they go in and out.

“But he’s a real talent. He’s a real, real talent. I just hope he has no bad injuries or anything like that – keeps focused because Arsenal have got another one.”

Mikel Merino deserves to start as Arsenal’s striker against West Ham

Of course, it still feels as if Nwaneri would be best placed on the right for Arsenal right now, even if they are searching for a striker.

William Saliba was impressed with Mikel Merino as a striker coming off of the bench against Leicester on Saturday, and the Spaniard has surely now earned a start after his two goals.

In that scenario, Raheem Sterling should be the one sacrificed, who continues to underwhelm in an Arsenal shirt.

It’s not through lack of trying, but Sterling simply hasn’t been able to replicate the levels he’s often produced in the Premier League in the past.

And interestingly, Gary Neville has a theory why Sterling is struggling so much of late.