Mikel Arteta has had a tough season at Arsenal.
The Gunners have shown progress in the Champions League by reaching the semi-finals for the first time in 16 years. That deserves praise, but missing out on the Premier League title for the third season in a row is a serious disappointment.
Injuries have been the biggest reason why Arsenal have struggled this season. Arteta hasn’t had the options he would’ve liked off the bench either.
One player, however, hasn’t been used regularly in recent weeks, even though he has been fit and available.
Tim Sherwood has spotted something about him every time he has seen him on the bench.
Tim Sherwood says Ethan Nwaneri has looked furious on the Arsenal bench
Ethan Nwaneri has been a revelation at Arsenal this season.
The teenager made his debut as a 15-year-old a few years ago, but his breakthrough campaign has been this one.
Nwaneri has played 36 times for Arsenal this season and has scored nine goals. He has been brilliant whenever he has played and has impressed everyone.
However, the youngster has played just 42 minutes of football in Arsenal’s last six games in all competitions. Mikel Arteta has come under fire for that.
Some Arsenal fans even urged Nwaneri to leave because he only played a minute over two legs against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Sherwood has kept an eye on Nwaneri on the bench, and he has noticed something that he absolutely loves from the teenager.
He said on the Kelly and Wrighty Show: “Nwaneri, I love his approach at the moment. Sitting on the bench with a face like thunder because Saka is back. He wants to play.
“I admire that, I love all that. He will be a superstar for the future of the football club.”
READ MORE: Gary Lineker shares why he thinks Mikel Arteta failed to sub on Ethan Nwaneri for Arsenal vs PSG
Why Ethan Nwaneri hasn’t played regularly recently
Nwaneri has played a lot of football since the turn of the year.
The youngster started the season as a 17-year-old, and even though people expected him to get opportunities, nobody thought he would play as many games as he has done.
Workload is definitely a factor, and Arteta also claimed that the context of recent games hasn’t allowed him to bring on the teenager.
The Arsenal boss said in a recent press conference: “There are moments where players are used more and less. He has played a lot, played probably more than anyone expected, for sure.
“In the last few games, because of the games and the context, we decided not to play him in that match, it can change very quickly.”
