The Arsenal manager says his decision to make Ethan Nwaneri the Premier League’s youngest player is behind his decision.
What did Mikel Arteta say about Ethan Nwaneri?
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta led the youngster into the last few minutes of the Gunners’ 3-0 win at Brentford on Sunday, with the midfielder aged just 15 years and 181 days.
That means attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri becomes the Gunners’ youngest ever player, breaking Cesc Fabregas’ record of 16 years, 5 months, 24 days, and also the youngest player ever to play in the PL – after seeing him outperform Harvey Elliot’s Reds ( 16 years, 30 days).
Speaking to reporters after the game, the Arsenal head coach was asked why he chose to bring in Ethan Nwaneri, who only made his Under-18 debut in May. Mikel Arteta said it was a pure inner feeling. According to Arteta, he met the boy and really liked what he saw.
Per Mertesacker and the academy staff give him some really good information, Edu. Arteta met him, he trained a couple of times with them. Mikel Arteta says that Ethan Nwaneri had to come because they have injuries, especially Martin Odegaard’s injury, and then he had the feeling that if an opportunity could come, he was going to do it.
Asked what his inner feeling about Ethan Nwaneri is, the Arsenal manager added that he didn’t know what it was. According to the Spanish manager, when he met him, when he looked at him, he had such a feeling.
Arsenal has a long history of outstanding youngsters – so they’ll be sure that Mikel’s gut feeling translates into a successful career.
A little about Ethan Nwaneri
Ethan goes to school in St. John’s Prep and high school in Enfield. Ethan Nwaneri was not even born when Emirates Stadium opened in 2006.
The Gunners boss has suggested that Ethan Nwaneri will now likely drop back into the youth ranks after the international break. The young midfielder will also return to school on Tuesday.