Forget Messi! Wenger compares Nwaneri to former Arsenal star

Tom Weber

Updated: 17 Feb 2025 15:43 GMT
3 min read

Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed which of his former players Ethan Nwaneri reminds him of.

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The Gunners wonderkid is in the midst of a dream campaign. After becoming the Premier League's youngest-ever debutant in 2022, Nwaneri has now established himself as a regular fixture in Mikel Arteta's side.

The attacking midfielder's importance to Arsenal is steadily increasing and, despite his tender age of 17, Nwaneri has already scored seven goals in all competitions this term.

According to our information and since confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, a bumper new contract is in the works for Nwaneri and his partner in crime Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is also starring for Arsenal aged just 17.

Nwaneri reminds Wenger of Fabregas

After Arsenal beat Leicester 2-0 on Saturday, TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole likened Nwaneri to none other than Lionel Messi due to his movement and ability on the ball.

“These little touches in and around the box – I don’t even want to say it, but it’s like Lionel Messi," Cole stated. "I don’t want to put any more pressure on him, but the touches off the back foot entice the defender, then the touch off the toe to send him off balance.

"He plays with such confidence - a beautiful player. Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have to protect him, they would have liked him to only play 60, 70 minutes today.”

Legendary former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has now also chimed in. Speaking on beIN SPORTS, the Frenchman concurred with Richard Keys that Nwaneri's mentality is reminiscent of Cesc Fabregas', who also broke through early (aged 16) and looked unfazed.

“Nwaneri is more a creator through his final ball, his dribbling and the quality of his passing,” Wenger began. “Fabregas was very strong mentally but this boy looks as well and when I look at him, his maturity, it’s difficult for me to think he’s 17 years old... The sign of a special talent is they are ready early.”