MIKEL ARTETA has had his eye on Ethan Nwaneri since he was 12-years-old.
Within the first week of his appointment as Arsenal boss in December 2019, Arteta spoke with U16 coach Dan Micciche about an immense talent playing with kids four years his senior and asked him: “I hear you’ve got a player for me…”
A video compilation was compiled to prove that the early comparisons to Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere were not as wild as they initially sounded.
Fast forward to the present day and 17-year-old Nwaneri is on the cusp of a full Prem debut after scoring twice on his first senior start against Bolton in the Carabao Cup third round.
And given the Gunners’ current injury issues in midfield, Arteta should hold him back no longer ahead of their clash with Leicester at the Emirates on Saturday. The time is now.
As Arteta himself admitted after the 5-1 thumping of the Trotters: “The boy is ready” before adding: “He’s ahead of what anybody could expect”.
However, Arsenal’s Hale End academy have known about Nwaneri’s potential since his arrival as a nine-year-old – where he was introduced to several senior stars on his first day.
His progress since has been nothing short of meteoric, playing with the U18s at the age of 14 and the U21s at the age of 15 before his history-making Prem debut in September 2022.
There was interest from Chelsea and Manchester City before he signed his first pro deal back in March after his 17th birthday – but leaving Arsenal has never been a consideration.
After scoring his first two goals for the club on Wednesday night, he said: “It’s a great feeling when the club you love and grown up with and the fans are chanting your name.
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“It’s a good feeling. It’s a surreal feeling. It’s a feeling I’ve wanted to feel for almost 16 years of my life so to actually feel it, it’s crazy. I just want more of it.”
Nwaneri was one of NINE academy players in the squad against Bolton, with 16-year-old keeper Jack Porter, defenders Maldini Kacurri, 18, and Josh Nichols, 18, and winger Ismeal Kabia, 18, also making their debuts.
Nwaneri added: “All of those players that I’ve played with since I’ve been like nine and now we’re on the big pitch together, it’s a crazy feeling.”
But Nwaneri is the shining light and the quiet leader among them, despite his shy and down-to-earth nature.
Before kick-off against Bolton, Nwaneri led his academy pals out onto the pitch to soak up the atmosphere, shaking hands with managing director Richard Garlick.
Nwaneri does his talking on the pitch, showing an eye for goal in the 37th and 49th minute and looking immensely comfortable on the ball, constantly dodging tackles with power and poise.
Not that it has affected his school work.
Much like another academy grad Myles Lewis-Skelly, the pair would often finish training, put on their uniforms and race to school to hand in homework.
Nwaneri has had many a role model, coached by club legend Wilshere in the U18s and called “very, very special” by former midfielder Granit Xhaka while the Swiss international picked up his coaching badges with the U16s at London Colney.
Even current skipper Martin Odegaard has gone out of his way to guide and nurture a player who could one day replace him as Arsenal’s talisman and fan favourite.
With Odegaard and Mikel Merino missing through injury and Jorginho and Thomas Partey in need of a rest, these upcoming home league outings against the Foxes and Southampton could not have come at a better time for Nwaneri’s official unveiling as a first team regular.
He has already featured once this Prem term, off the bench late on to help see out a 1-0 victory away at rivals Tottenham, adding to previous sub appearances at the Bees and West Ham.
Nwaneri said: “It’s been intense, but it’s definitely helped me as a player. I’ve added that to my game.”