Arsenal 'superstar' Ethan Nwaneri to be pushed over Emirates exit - Paul Merson

Ethan Nwaneri will become a “superstar” as he develops but must shun voices in his ear pushing him to leave Arsenal too early, says Paul Merson.

The 17-year-old scored his first Premier League goal in the Gunners’ 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on 24 November, and the club’s former striker is convinced the youngster is in the right place to develop, advising patience and caution amidst external pressure for regular playing time.

Mikel Arteta’s side are currently fourth in the league, six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, with Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey, and Nwaneri all finding the net in today’s impressive performance at the Emirates, with a possible goal of the season only squandered by Jurrien Timber’s pass.

Merson was asked if the teenager was in the right place to reach his potential live on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (5.31pm), replying: “I think so. I think Arsenal’s a very good club. You’re going to get looked after. It depends who’s looking after him because people are going to get in his ear aren’t they? ‘Oh, get away you need to play’.

“He’s at a great club. Don’t leave there too early. For me, be patient. He’s 17 years of age, he’s behind top players, he’ll keep on learning and learning. But he’ll be a superstar. He is a top player… every time he comes on he does something special in the game, and today he scores another good goal… a real, real talent.

“Just got to make sure he keeps his head and his chance will come. Take your time, you’re 17, you’re at a massive club in Arsenal.”

He added: “As soon you get noises [from] people around you going, ‘You should be playing every week’, and this and that, well where are you going to go and play every week? At the moment I think he’s at the right place”

Mikel Arteta has super talent in Arsenal squad

Footballer Insider Opinion

The English midfielder made history in September 2022 by becoming the youngest player ever to feature in a Premier League match, coming on as a substitute in the final moments of Arsenal’s 3-0 victory at Brentford at just 15 years and 181 days old.

Since then, fans have eagerly called for more opportunities for the promising teenager, particularly after standout performances in the EFL Cup. His well-taken goal in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest only fuelled this demand.

This season, Nwaneri has netted four goals in just 238 minutes of action, with the majority of his playtime coming in the EFL Cup (170 minutes), alongside an hour in the Premier League and eight minutes in the Champions League.

Remarkably, he is one of only two players in Europe’s top five leagues aged under 18 to score multiple goals across all competitions this term, alongside Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.

Given his potential and the opportunities provided by Arsenal’s forward-thinking approach, Nwaneri has the chance to continue shining at the Emirates, with his development promising a bright future for both him and the club.

If he follows Merson’s advice he looks set to be a major asset moving forward, having become the second-youngest top flight scorer for the club behind former captain Cesc Fabregas.

In other news, Arsenal have been sent a message over the future of Ben White.

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