Ethan Nwaneri tells Mikel Arteta exactly what he wants to hear after Arsenal opportunity
by Matty Hewitt · football.londonArsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri has told Mikel Arteta exactly what he wants to hear about first-team training. The youngster has made five Premier League appearances so far this season at just 17-years-old.
Having burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old, the England youth international was given his Arsenal debut by Arteta against Brentford in 2022. He became the youngest ever player to ever appear in the Premier League at the age of 15 years and 181 days, replacing Fabio Vieira.
Since then, he's continued his impressive ascent and is a firm part of Arteta's first-team plans this season. The youngster has made eight appearances in all competitions with three goals to his name, including a brace against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.
The young midfielder has discussed breaking into the first-team on Arsenal's official social media channel, with fellow prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly. When asked about the step up and how they found the adjustment to the first-team, Nwaneri told Arsenal's official channel: "Yeah I think it's hard but you get used to it quick. It's hard but at the end of the day, it's good."
Fellow youngster, Lewis-Skelly agreed: "Yeah, I'll say it was hard at first. Just the tempo, it was a lot faster as well. But obviously you adapt and get used to it."
Arteta will be pleased to hear that both players have adapted to life in the first-team and they both have bright futures ahead of them. The pair both appear to have their heads screwed on despite playing in the Premier League at such a young age.
The duo were asked how they balance their education with their football and their answers will have impressed Arteta further. Nwaneri said: "When I go home and I finish training, I'm on it."
"I'm very transparent with my teachers because the schedules changing all the time," Lewis-Skelly added. "Communication that's it for me."
Arteta has also hinted that both players could be in line to start in the Premier League soon. "They are there," the Spaniard said. "They are in contention. They always give us the option and the possibility to start the game.
"Myles came on the other night and he did really well. Ethan the same. They are first-team players. They are with us and we treat them and value the same way as any other player."