Thomas Tuchel sent Ethan Nwaneri England request amid concerns over Arsenal wonderkid

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has voiced his concerns about the potential call-up of Ethan Nwaneri to the England squad for the upcoming international fixtures.

With Thomas Tuchel set to announce his first selection since taking charge, and a 55-man longlist ready to be narrowed down for the games against Albania and Latvia, all eyes are on the young Gunners starlet. Nwaneri, at just 17 years old, has been turning heads with his performances under Mikel Arteta's guidance at Arsenal, despite being handled with care due to his age.

Injuries within the squad have given him more opportunities to shine in north London, but Keown is cautious about the added pressure that an international cap could bring to the teenager. The former defender, now a pundit with TNT, highlighted the importance of managing the workload of a player who is still physically maturing. He suggested that the international break might be better spent resting, rather than adding to the demands on Nwaneri, who made history as the youngest ever Premier League debutant at 15, reports the Mirror.

"There's a chance [Nwaneri] may make the international team," Keown said. "That's a concern, that's a worry. You take it if it comes but if it doesn't, then he gets a nice bit of time with the manager, resting up between games so there's a balance.

"It does one thing for confidence but another for the body. When you're 17, you're not even fully developed in terms of your cardiovascular system. You're not really a man yet.

"There's still some growing to do, and recently he has looked tired, like he was blowing, and this is normal for a 17 year old kid. So it might be a time where he needs resting. And if he doesn't make the full squad, does he need to be involved in the U21s? This has got to be sensibly managed between now and the end of the season."

Keown has fewer concerns over Arsenal's other breakout talent, Myles Lewis-Skelly. The pundit believes the 18-year-old star has earned his place playing as a full-back under Arteta, despite some concern over his disciplinary record in games.

Keown stated: "He's had some issues, but in terms of physicality, he's ready to go. He looks like he could play and there's a problem at left-back for England.

"He's different [to Nwaneri], more developed. I wouldn't say he's a freak of nature, but when you see the strength in him, he is all about power. So he is not going to want to be denied the opportunity to play for England."

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