"He can fly and don't clip any wings" - Mikel Arteta heaps praises on Arsenal star ahead of Premier League clash against Newcastle United
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Ethan Nwanei ahead of their game against Newcastle United on Saturday, November 2. The English midfielder has been selected on the bench for the game, with calls for him to be included in the starting XI growing louder by the minute.
Nwaneri has caught the eye with the Gunners in the EFL Cup this season, starting both games and registering three goals. The 17-year-old scored a brace in the north London side's 5-1 win over Bolton Wanderers in the third round in September.
Nwaneri followed that up with a goal in the 3-0 win over Preston North End earlier this week. The player has appeared four times for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, but all of them have been from the bench.
Speaking recently, as cited by Fabrizio Romano, Arteta insisted that Nwaneri's involvement with the Gunners at a young age speaks volumes of his qualities.
"He can fly and don't clip any wings. At 17 years old, to be in a position like he is in at one of the biggest clubs in Europe, I think sums up really well the level that he has," said Arteta.
Nwaneri became the youngest player to feature in the Premier League in September 2022, when he came off the bench for Arsenal against Brentford. He was just 15 years and 181 days old then.
What is the average age of Arsenal's squad this season?
Arsenal have invested heavily in youth since the arrival of Mikel Arteta at the Emirates in December 2019. The Spanish manager has largely targeted talented young footballers in recent summers, while also opening the first team door to academy graduates.
Arteta has subsequently transformed the Gunners into one of the most talented teams in Europe. They are playing entertaining, attacking football, and scoring goals at will.
The north London side invested wisely in the squad this summer, but deviated from their youth-centric policy. While Riccardo Calafiori, 22, was roped in from Bologna, Arsenal also brought in quite a few established faces.
Mikel Merino, 28, was roped in from Real Sociedad to add more experience to the middle of the park. Raheem Sterling, 29, was signed on loan from Chelsea, as was 35-year-old Neto from Bournemouth.
Subsequently, the average age of the Gunners' squad this season is 26.5 years, the sixth oldest in the league. Interestingly, the Blues have the youngest squad in the Premier League, with an average age of 23.1 years.