Ethan Nwaneri, despite being one of the standout young talents at Arsenal this season, is still not allowed in the first-team dressing room due to his age, according to manager Mikel Arteta. Nwaneri, who made history as the youngest-ever Premier League player at just 15, has continued to impress with his performances. The 17-year-old has shown great potential, including scoring a goal in the Champions League against Girona and netting a remarkable long-range strike in Arsenal’s dominant 5-1 victory over Manchester City. Despite his impressive displays, Arteta has clarified that Nwaneri still cannot join the senior squad in the dressing room, as the club’s policy requires players to be of a certain age before they are allowed in the first-team area.
Arteta also mentioned that Nwaneri’s situation is unique, as compared to his teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly, who turned 18 in September and is now allowed to change in the first-team dressing room. Arteta shared his disbelief at the policy, admitting that it was hard to believe Nwaneri, despite his success on the pitch, still had to dress elsewhere, even on match days. He highlighted the close relationship between Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, emphasizing the importance of young players building strong connections with their peers as they transition into the senior team. Arteta believes these bonds help players adjust and integrate into the senior squad more easily, boosting their confidence and easing the transition to top-flight football.
As Arsenal prepares for the second-leg Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle, trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Arteta expressed hope that young talents like Nwaneri could deliver another solid performance, aiding the team’s push to overturn the deficit. Although Nwaneri is still restricted in terms of his access to the first-team dressing room, his role within the team continues to grow, and Arteta believes his development is crucial to Arsenal’s future.
Arteta also spoke candidly about the club’s striker concerns and the failure to bring in a new forward during the January transfer window. He acknowledged the club had made efforts to strengthen their attacking options, but despite exploring several potential deals, they were unable to secure a signing. Arteta revealed that the club had a clear intention to improve their squad with players capable of making an immediate impact, but they were disappointed by the outcome. He emphasized that Arsenal remained committed to signing only the right players and would not rush into signing anyone just for the sake of it. Arteta stressed the need for discipline in their approach to transfers, highlighting the importance of making strategic decisions that would benefit the team in the long run.
Even though the failure to sign a new striker was a setback, Arteta remains confident in the squad’s attacking flexibility and options. He expressed belief that the current players in the squad could adapt and fill the gap left by the lack of a new forward. Arteta mentioned that Arsenal would need to be flexible in their attacking approach, making use of players like Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Raheem Sterling, who could all contribute to the attack. The manager also surprisingly included 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri as a potential attacking option, suggesting that the young star could play a role in filling the void created by the lack of a traditional striker.
Despite the striker issue, Arteta remains optimistic about his team’s ability to perform in multiple competitions this season. He hinted that tactical adjustments might be needed in the attacking department to make the most of the squad’s versatility. Arteta acknowledged that the absence of a new forward could be a challenge but emphasized that the team’s ability to adapt could still keep them competitive in the title race and other cup competitions.
As Arsenal faces the important task of overturning their Carabao Cup semi-final deficit, Arteta’s comments reflect the club’s reliance on its existing talent, including young players like Nwaneri, to step up when needed. The manager is hopeful that these players will rise to the occasion, despite the challenges Arsenal faces in the absence of a new forward. It remains to be seen whether Arsenal’s decision not to strengthen their frontline in January will ultimately prove costly, but for now, Arteta has put his faith in his young stars, trusting them to deliver the performances needed to keep the club competitive in all competitions.
In the meantime, there is growing speculation about potential transfers, including Arsenal’s interest in signing Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins for a reported £60 million. However, the club’s failure to bring in a new striker during the winter window has left Arsenal fans hoping that the current squad, led by Arteta, can continue to deliver strong performances despite the apparent gap in their attacking options.
The next few weeks will be crucial for Arteta and his team as they prepare for a busy schedule of league and cup fixtures. The manager’s faith in his young players, including Nwaneri, and his belief in the squad’s overall versatility will be tested as Arsenal seeks to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League and make a push for trophies in other competitions. Arteta will undoubtedly be hoping that his decision to rely on the existing squad, rather than making a hasty signing, will pay off in the long term. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether this strategy will be successful or if Arsenal will regret missing the opportunity to strengthen their attacking options during the transfer window.
For now, Nwaneri’s journey at Arsenal continues, and his talent and potential are clear for all to see. While his age still restricts him from joining the senior team’s dressing room, his performances on the pitch suggest that he has a bright future ahead. Arteta and the club’s management will be keeping a close eye on his development, and if he continues to impress, it may only be a matter of time before the young prodigy takes his place among the senior squad both on and off the field. As Arsenal’s season progresses, Nwaneri’s role could become even more significant, and his impact may play a key part in the club’s ambitions to win trophies and compete at the highest level.
