Mikel Arteta Explains Ethan Nwaneri’s Full Premier League Debut

Ethan Nwaneri, the talented Arsenal teenager, made his first Premier League start during the Gunners’ win over Brentford. Manager Mikel Arteta emphasized that the 17-year-old earned his place in the lineup on merit, not due to the illness affecting the squad.

• Arteta’s Reasoning: Arteta explained, “It is great to see him play with that courage and determination. He played in that position not because of the bug. It was a decision that I made because I thought he was the best player to start the game.”

A Full-Circle Moment

Nwaneri’s full debut came with added sentiment. Back in September 2022, he made history against Brentford as the youngest player in Arsenal and top-flight history at 15 years and 181 days old. Arteta admitted this played a part in his decision.

• Arteta’s Sentiment: “It was a story with his debut here and then making his [full] Premier League debut. Sometimes that feeling comes in, and you feel it’s the right one,” the manager revealed.
• Focus on Growth: Arteta stressed the importance of patience in Nwaneri’s development, adding, “Part of that development is managing frustration and expectations. He’s already played a lot of games, and he deserves this.”

Nwaneri’s Role in Arsenal’s Packed Schedule

With Bukayo Saka out of action until at least early March, Nwaneri could see more playing time. Arsenal faces a grueling January schedule with nine fixtures, including:

• Premier League: An away match against Brighton.
• Carabao Cup Semi-Final: The first leg against Newcastle United.
• FA Cup: A third-round clash with Manchester United.
• Champions League: Two crucial group-stage games before the month’s end.
• North London Derby: A showdown with Tottenham.

Nwaneri has a significant opportunity to solidify his place in the squad during this busy period.