Arsenal now have an academy graduate who can become their very own David Silva - opinion

Since Manchester City began their dominance of the Premier League over the last decade or so, there’s been a lot to envy for Arsenal.

City have won the league title eight times since Arsene Wenger last won the honour with Arsenal in the 2003/04 season.

Admittedly, Mikel Arteta has now come close to turning that tide on two occasions, but Pep Guardiola’s team always still finds a way to win.

Although he’s no longer playing for Pep these days, David Silva was a constant thorn in Arsenal’s side in the past, now replaced by the likes of Phil Foden.

Fortunately for Arsenal, in a summer in which they are hoping to bridge the gap between themselves and City, it appears they have a youngster coming through who encompasses all that was brilliant about Silva.

In his prime, Silva had a magic left foot, an incredibly gifted technician.

And now in 2024, the same can be said about 17-year-old Hale End graduate Ethan Nwaneri, an English talent who can go on to win it all.

Ethan Nwaneri can be an Arsenal star for the next 10 years

Nwaneri has started both of Arsenal’s pre-season friendlies in the United States, excelling against Bournemouth and Man United.

Arteta made some interesting comments about Nwaneri after his minutes and assist against United, a player who belongs at this level.

And in a summer in which Arsenal lost a big talent like Amario Cozier-Duberry, it’s redeeming that they are now able to bring Nwaneri through.

The 17-year-old is a rare talent who can excel in either interior midfield position, able to act as backup for Martin Odegaard or start on the left.

And in truth, Arsenal could be willing to sell Emile Smith Rowe because of Nwaneri’s skill-set, a player who can lessen the ill-feeling of another Hale-Ender leaving.

Nwaneri can excel in this Arsenal side for the next 10 years, an extraordinary talent who showed his class and composure in his assist for Gabriel Jesus’ goal against United.

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Yes, Nwaneri will need time and patience, but he’s clearly a talent ready for senior football.

And if Arteta doesn’t plan to hand the youngster a first team role this season then Arsenal need to find Nwaneri a loan akin to Jack Wilshere’s move to Bolton Wanderers in 2010.