Mikel Arteta Discloses That A 17-Year-Old Prodigy Is On The Verge Of Breaking Into The Arsenal Senior Squad
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has stated that Ethan Nwaneri is on the brink of establishing himself as a regular member of the first team after securing his inaugural professional contract.
The England youth international made headlines when he became the youngest player in Premier League history in September 2022, coming off the bench at just 15 years and 181 days old during a 3-0 victory over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Nwaneri’s impressive performances attracted attention from top clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea, prompting Arsenal to secure him under scholarship terms last year. After making his second appearance for the first team in February’s 6-0 win against West Ham United and consistently excelling at the youth level, the 17-year-old officially signed his first professional contract at the end of last month.
Exciting times ahead…
Ethan Nwaneri has signed his first professional contract at the club! ✍️
— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) March 28, 2024
Arteta is encouraging Nwaneri to seize the opportunity presented to him with both hands. Widely recognized as one of the most promising young talents in the Premier League, Arteta expressed his delight for Nwaneri ahead of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Luton Town on Wednesday. He revealed that the teenager is on the verge of permanently joining the senior squad.
“I was genuinely thrilled [about Nwaneri signing a professional contract]. It was a fantastic day for him, surrounded by his family and other important figures,” the Daily Mail quoted Arteta as saying.
“It’s a truly proud moment to witness another academy graduate signing his professional contract. He is edging closer to the first team. The opportunity is there; now it’s up to him to seize it.”
Although Nwaneri was not included in the Arsenal squad for their midweek triumph against Luton, the England Under-17 international has been excelling at the academy level. He has recorded seven goals and two assists in nine Premier League 2 matches for the Under-21s.
During Arsenal’s brief stint in the FA Youth Cup, Nwaneri showcased his talent by scoring five goals in a dominant 7-1 victory over Crewe Alexandra in the third round. He also found the net in Arsenal’s 7-1 defeat to Liverpool in the same competition.
As Nwaneri continues to make strides towards the first team, attention is turning to which other academy prospects could emulate his success.
One of the standout talents emerging from Arsenal’s Hale End academy is Ethan Nwaneri, who made history as the youngest-ever player in the Premier League. Hale End has been a breeding ground for top-tier talent, having produced notable stars like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, and Serge Gnabry.
Among Nwaneri’s contemporaries at Arsenal’s youth setup is Amario Cozier-Duberry, an 18-year-old winger who has impressed with five goals and four assists in 13 Premier League 2 appearances this season. Despite not yet making his competitive debut for Arsenal, Cozier-Duberry’s contract is set to expire this summer. However, Arsenal is actively negotiating an extension, given interest from clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Ajax.
Another promising prospect from the academy is 17-year-old defensive midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has made strides in the Under-21 setup. Lewis-Skelly has been named as a substitute in both Premier League and Champions League matches this season, showcasing his potential. Similarly, fledgling defender Reuell Walters has also been featured on the bench for senior competitions.
Delving deeper into Arsenal’s youth ranks, 16-year-old striker Chido Obi has been making waves with Jack Wilshere’s Under-18 squad. Obi has demonstrated his scoring prowess by netting 12 goals in just 11 Premier League age-group appearances during the 2023-24 season. Notably, he achieved back-to-back four-goal performances against Crystal Palace and Fulham, further highlighting his burgeoning talent.
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