Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have a 'huge' young talent with 'enormous quality' who could play in NLD

Arsenal will be eager to secure their third win from four Premier League games in their high-stakes trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The Gunners are still unbeaten in the top flight, but their draw with Brighton saw them lose momentum against Manchester City and Liverpool.

Arsenal also have a number of injury and suspension issues to contend with, as they’re missing two – possibly three – key midfielders.

Martin Odegaard is a serious doubt for the trip to Spurs due to an injury he picked up on Norway duty.

Meanwhile, Mikel Merino is yet to play this season due to injury, and Declan Rice is suspended.

This situation has led to some calls for Hale End prodigy Ethan Nwaneri to start for Arsenal against Tottenham.

Now, Mikel Arteta has shared whether he will consider playing the 17-year-old in the North London derby.

Mikel Arteta not afraid to play ‘huge’ Arsenal talent Ethan Nwaneri

Arteta, speaking to the Evening Standard, said Arsenal will not hesitate to use young stars like Nwaneri if needed.

However, the Gunners boss stopped short of confirming whether Nwaneri would be involved against Spurs.

“We have to adapt to that throughout the season,” said Arteta. “We are going to have this kind of situation.

“It has happened very early, since the second game. The bench against Brighton was very different to the one we probably all expected.

“We have to face it and use the opportunity as the kids have given us a lot of hope and right reasons to count on them. If we have to then we will, for sure.”

Arteta then lifted the lid on Nwaneri’s development, saying he has come a long way in recent months.

“Huge development,” said Arteta. “I think big credit to everybody working in the academy.

“The coaches starting with Jack (Wilshere), Mehmet (Ali), all the coaches around him, Per (Mertesacker), that have prepared the player to be in the right position right now to shine and be prepared for the different context, and obviously the demands that he is going to be facing right now.

“He’s been doing really well, physically very mature, personally very mature, his game understanding has improved a lot.

“And then let him do. He has an enormous quality, a lot of talent and he needs the space to shine.”

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta reacts to ‘not ideal’ news ahead of Arsenal trip to Tottenham

How many games has Nwaneri played for Arsenal so far?

Nwaneri made footballing history back in September 2022 when he was handed his Arsenal senior debut at the age of just 15 years and 181 days.

His appearance in the 3-0 Premier League win against Brentford made him the youngest ever player to appear in the latest iteration of the English top flight, as well as the youngest ever Arsenal player.

Nwaneri has since made one more competitive appearance for the Gunners, getting 13 minutes under his belt in a 6-0 Premier League win over West Ham in February 2024.

The teenager has also made the Arsenal matchday squad a further eight times in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.