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Mikel Arteta makes big Ethan Nwaneri claim right after Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Brentford
Ethan Nwaneri was one of Arsenal’s best players in their 3-1 win against Brentford on New Year’s Day.
Nwaneri’s audition as Bukayo Saka’s replacement on the right-wing was a fruitful one to say the least as he dazzled with the ball at his feet, taking on players left right and centre and proving why he is an extremely gifted technician.
Being just 17 years old, Ethan Nwaneri would have had all the pressure in the world after Mikel Arteta gave him to go-ahead to replace Arsenal’s go-to man in Saka.
However, the teenager showcased nerves of steel against Brentford.
As for Arsenal, they will be hoping that the highly-rated youngster’s sparkling performance is the start of something special.
After the contest, Mikel Arteta had his say on the Hale End graduate.
- READ MORE: Mikel Arteta shares what new position he’s thinking of changing Ethan Nwaneri to at Arsenal
Mikel Arteta assures Ethan Nwaneri “would be playing” for Arsenal even if they’d signed a player
Arteta told TNT Sports that even if Arsenal had brought in another attacker from any other country, Nwaneri would be playing for his boyhood club after his side defeated Brentford.
“Really good. But in training, he gave us all the right reasons, if we would’ve signed a player from any country, he would be playing, so he’s an academy player, he needs to be playing because he deserves it.”
Mikel Arteta also stated that he started Nwaneri against Brentford because he was the best player to play on the right flank, in his view alongside the fact that he made his Premier League debut against the Bees as well.
The Spaniard said via HaytersTV: “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 and when he made his Premier League debut [against Brentford in September 2022] and sometimes, that feeling comes in and it’s the right one and then who knows?”
Mikel Arteta explains why he has taken time to integrate Ethan Nwaneri after Arsenal beat Brentford
Mikel Arteta went on to explain why he took time to integrate Nwaneri as well as his views on the revered talent’s development in his post-match press conference.
“A part of that development, it’s patience. It’s managing frustration and managing expectation because you expect that everything is going to go so fast as previous things happen and it’s not the case.”
“So now we’re building him and he’s played already a lot of games, a lot of minutes for us for the age he is and he fully deserves that.”
Nwaneri will appreciate Mikel Arteta’s support and it seems like he could be set to have a truly breakthrough season.