"He’s growing a lot" - Jorginho makes bold claims about Arsenal teammate ahead of Atalanta clash
Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has praised the rapid development of teammate Ethan Nwaneri after the 17-year-old's strong performance off the bench in the Gunners' narrow 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday. After Bukayo Saka went off with a knock in the 86th minute, Mikel Arteta decided to bring on Nwaneri.
With Martin Odegaard sidelined due to a serious ankle ligament injury, Arsenal fans are now further eager to see more of the young midfielder, who has traveled with the squad to Italy for their Champions League opener against Atalanta on Thursday.
Jorginho, one of Arsenal's senior midfielders, speaking about Nwaneri's progress, highlighted the potential the teenager has shown in training.
“He’s growing a lot and improving every single day. He’s got incredible talent. He can dribble, break lines, find the goal, and deliver key passes. If he continues working like this, he has a very bright future ahead of him,” Jorginho said (via Metro).
Nwaneri made history two years ago as the youngest player to appear in the Premier League at just 15. He has since been slowly nurtured by Mikel Arteta and his time to shine could be just around the corner.
With Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard sidelined due to a severe ankle injury and summer signing Mikel Merino out with a shoulder problem, the young midfielder could find himself stepping up into a key role sooner than expected.
Arsenal's Mikel Arteta rules out squad rotation ahead of Atalanta clash despite Man City fixture looming
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed the idea of rotating his squad for Thursday’s Champions League opener against Atalanta despite an upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City this weekend.
Arteta stressed the importance of focusing solely on the immediate challenge, ensuring his best players are ready for the task ahead.
“We are in September, and the priority is to field the best team for tomorrow. That’s all that matters,” Arteta explained during his pre-match press conference (via Metro).
The Gunners boss revealed he has sought advice from key squad members, including Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori, to gain additional insights on Atalanta’s style of play. Both players trained fully on Wednesday and have extensive knowledge of the Italian side.
“The club has a fantastic history, and what Gasperini has done is remarkable,” Arteta said. "They play a unique style that has made them a tough opponent for any team. We need to be well-prepared for this challenge.”