Ethan Nwaneri is ready for the big stage and that was evident in Arsenal’s 7-1 walloping of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
Nwaneri scored the Gunners’ second goal, ghosting into the box and rifling the ball into the back of the net with an emphatic finish as his side put on a statement display in the first leg of the Round of 16 clash.
Declan Rice lauded Nwaneri’s performance against PSV as the 17-year-old cannot help but turn heads.
While some will stress that Ethan Nwaneri is just a teenager and it would be unwise to shower him with praise, it is difficult not to as his talent is well and truly special.
Against PSV, that was evident as the Englishman dazzled on the right flank and was a constant threat.
For Mikel Arteta, it must truly be a dream to work with such an incredible prospect.
Mikel Arteta hails Ethan Nwaneri after PSV vs Arsenal
Arteta has coached a number of excellent youngsters at Arsenal such as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly but Nwaneri is right up there with the aforementioned names.
Jurrien Timer called Nwaneri an “amazing” player and it is hard to disagree with such claims being made about the silky technician.
After Arsenal demolished PSV, Mikel Arteta sounded out both Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly for praise.
Arteta said live on Amazon Prime Video Sport: “To be doing what they are doing at 17 and 18 years old, shows incredible maturity. They are doing that because of how the other players support them and make them better. They have a lot of courage.”
“Myles makes an assist, that’s the team that I want to see, they take initiative and they want to make things happen.”
The way Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly proceeded to celebrate after the latter’s goal against PSV shows the bond they have and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be delighted about having two such gems that he can rely on.
Ethan Nwaneri stats in PSV vs Arsenal
When it comes to Nwaneri in particular, what will excite Mikel Arteta is that he can play him in multiple positions, such as in midfield or on the right flank on big Champions League nights and still expect top performances.
The Arsenal academy graduate is fearless and has the quality to change the course of any game.
While watching Nwaneri against PSV was enough evidence that he had a terrific outing, the statistics back that up as well.
| ETHAN NWANERI STATS VS PSV | |
| GOALS | 1 |
| XG + XA | 0.65 |
| TOUCHES | 24 |
| ACCURATE PASSES | 6/9 (67%) |
| DRIBBLE ATTEMPTS | 1/1 |
The youngster put in a truly efficient display, managing to touch the ball just 24 times and still impact proceedings.
Nwaneri attempted one dribble, which he completed and misplaced just three out of his nine passes as well.
Mikel Arteta must know how gifted the Gunners sensation is but for him to be as mature on the pitch as he already is must have taken the Spaniard by surprise as well.
