Ethan Nwaneri has been the breakout star of the Premier League this season, there’s no doubt about it.
Nwaneri has earned huge praise this term as he’s stepped up after Bukayo Saka was injured towards the end of last year.
Nwaneri has been brilliant so far for Arsenal, and with each passing performance he’s earning more and more admirers.
Speaking on It’s All Kicking Off, Chris Sutton has been discussing Nwaneri’s England credentials after watching him in person for the first time this week.
Sutton was in Eindhoven for Arsenal’s 7-1 win against PSV this week, and he says that he was blown away by Nwaneri after seeing him in person for the first time.
Chris Sutton blown away by Ethan Nwaneri
Sutton spoke about Nwaneri after watching him this week.
The pundit was lost for words in a lot of ways after seeing Nwaneri play up close, simply saying ‘blimey’.
Sutton went on to hail Nwaneri for his intelligence and his maturity at such a young age.
“He was, but I think Nwaneri is a really interesting one. There is a lot of competition in those wide areas. Madueke, Gordon, Rodgers, Bowen, but on recent form,” Sutton began.
“I mean, Phil Foden would play a wide right as well, can’t he? Cole Palmer, of course, as well. But on recent form, I mean, it’s the first time I’ve seen him in the flesh, Ian, and, you know, blimey.
“I mean, he’s intelligent, really intelligent, physically. He more than copes, but he’s clever. He drives the outside, he’s got that little step over, he can drive the outside and then he can, you know, work situations to come on that inside.
“He has great awareness for one who is so young. But if I was Thomas Tuchel, think they want to want to win a World Cup, then I’d throw in the best players at that particular time. That’s always been my thought process.”
Ethan Nwaneri stats vs PSV
Sutton was incredibly impressed after watching Nwaneri for the first time in the flesh against PSV, and it’s easy to see why.
Nwaneri put in a remarkable performance against PSV, and while his stat sheet looks good, it doesn’t even do him justice.
| Ethan Nwaneri stats vs PSV | |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| Shots | 4 |
| Shots on target | 2 |
| Crosses | 2 |
| Key passes | 1 |
Nwaneri scored a goal and managed to get a number of shots off, but he also showed a great understanding of how an attacking player should move in key positions.
Martin Odegaard earned praise after this match, but Nwaneri’s movement and link-up play was a huge reason why Odegaard was so good in this game.
To be able to play like that at the age of just 17 is simply astonishing, and if Nwaneri continues to grow and improve, Arsenal could have a superstar on their hands.
Max Dowman is another exciting teenage talent at Arsenal, and the future looks incredibly bright for the north London club.
