Ethan Nwaneri will undoubtedly be the focus of most Gooners during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States as he prepares for the next season.
Nwaneri is destined for greatness, which was clear when he became the Premier League’s youngest debutant and appeared in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Brentford in September 2022 at the age of 15 years and 181 days.
Since then, the midfielder has remained a peripheral player at the club. However, in the months, weeks, and days leading up to the new season, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding the Arsenal prodigy.
Rumour has it that head coach Mikel Arteta will fully integrate Nwaneri into the Arsenal senior men’s team next season, and despite his rough diamond status, he will start to polish into the diamond he deserves to be. Therefore, in preparation for the crucial 2024–25 season, Nwaneri needed to demonstrate his readiness for a more significant role during the pre-season this summer.
Fortunately, in Arsenal’s first game of the pre-season (Arsenal versus Bournemouth), Nwaneri played as if his life depended on it.
Statistics do not lie: he was impressive:
• 89% passing accuracy rate (31/35)
• 2 chances created (highest)
• 2 successful dribbles
• 100% accurate tackle rate (2/2)
• Winning 6 duels
The game finished 1-1 (Fabio Vieira for Arsenal and Anthony Semenyo for Bournemouth), with Arsenal winning 5-4 on penalties. One significant aspect of the match is that it bolstered most Gooners’ confidence in Ethan Nwaneri’s growth. The Hale End star delivered a genuinely mature performance against Bournemouth. I hope he continues to soar.
Should Arteta promote Nwaneri to the first team this season or is it still a little early in his development?
Daniel O
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I think he is. He seemed comfortable against a full strength EPL side such as Bournemouth. He must be integrated into the squad and developed by playing.
imo, he should definitely be in the squad and given playing time in the EFL/FA cup competitions and minutes in select PL competitions. I don’t believe he is sufficiently prepared to walk into the starting XI yet but everything is of course MA’s call to make.
BB, I agree with what you posted. Bring him in gradually so that the media pressure, which he’s bound to get, doesn’t affect him.
A bonus is he doesn’t need to be added to the 25 man squad, as he’s only 17.
I feel he is ready, not as a starter but certainly off the bench. He looks strong and confident, we have to give him a chance otherwise what is the point of the academy?
Definitely! One of the things i love anout being an arsenal fan that you dont get from most top clubs is the integration of top talent. I love watching the youth teams and seeing them progress into the first team. That is the thing tuat has been missing in recent years. And its good to see tye the club hasnt forgotten its roots, and is still the club that quality youth players can flourish
Bring him in and use him sparingly.
we have 10 home grown players, we are trying to sell ESR, NKetiah, Nelson, Ramsdale – how do you think we will fill up the quota? Nwaneri will be in first team list and as a home grown player.