Mikel Arteta has a secret weapon up his sleeve when Arsenal lock horns with Crystal Palace on Monday night
Mikel Arteta has been dealt a major dilemma ahead of Arsenal's clash against Crystal Palace. The Eagles will welcome the Gunners to Selhurst Park on Monday evening with both sides hoping to continue their winning start to the new Premier League season.
As Arsenal prepare to face Palace, Arteta found some free time in his busy schedule to watch the under-21s lock horns with Leicester City at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium in Borehamwood. The Spaniard was pictured in attendance by a fan as the young Gunners enjoyed a dominant 4-1 win, with Ethan Nwaneri taking home the match ball.
The 16-year-old, who became the youngest ever Arsenal player after making his debut against Brentford in September 2022, put on a stellar display in front of Arteta on Friday night. While the north London outfit aren't short on options in the midfield or the frontline, his impressive performance certainly sent the first-team boss a clear message.
With a couple of days rest under his belt, Nwaneri has handed Arteta a late team selection headache. If Arsenal struggle to break the deadlock against Roy Hodgson's side then the England youth international could be their wildcard off the bench.
"There’s no doubting this kid’s ability," said the former Manchester United defender on his FIVE YouTube channel last year. "I’ve heard from coaches that are at the club and from various different people in the game at that level that there aren’t many 15-year-olds in the last 10 or so years that have got the ability that this guy’s shown on a consistent basis.
"We are talking the Fodens of this world. At 15, he’s at a similar level they’re talking."