16-year-old Arsenal WONDERKID sends Arteta 'CLEAR message'

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 19 Aug 2023 17:54 BST
3 min read

Ethan Nwaneri has sent Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta a bit of a selection headache ahead of the Gunners’ clash against Crystal Palace. The Gunners head to Selhurst Park on Monday evening after both sides enjoyed wins on their opening day.

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Nwaneri, who’s 16 years old, was watched by Arteta in the under-21s game against Leicester City at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium in Borehamwood, reports Football.London, as the north London side ran out 4-1 winners. The teenager was also named Man of the Match for his performance.

Nwaneri - who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) rating of €2.9m - made his Arsenal debut in September 2022 against Brentford, becoming the youngest player ever to play for the Gunners.

Despite Arteta's wealth of options in midfield and the frontline, his remarkable display sent a crystal-clear message to the first-team manager, as the Spaniard weighs up his options ahead of facing the Eagles.

Even if the Gunners' boss decides not to include Nwaneri in the matchday squad on Monday night, it is thought that he may feature later on in the season.

© ProShots - Nwaneri could be an option off the bench

The 'new Foden'

Rio Ferdinand said he believes that Nwaneri as Arsenal's answer to their own version of Phil Foden.

"This kid's talent is beyond question," remarked the former Manchester United defender on his FIVE YouTube channel in 20222. "I've heard from club coaches and various other individuals in the game at that level, and they have all been unanimous in their praise of this young man's consistently exceptional abilities.

"We're talking about players in the mould of Foden. At just 15 years old, he's operating at a level that puts him in the same conversation as these remarkable talents from the past decade."

Read more about: Premier League, Arsenal, C. Palace, Ethan Nwaneri, Phil Foden