Ethan Nwaneri says there’s a ‘top, top player’ in Arsenal’s academy but Gunners could let him go for free

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The Arsenal Academy is one of the best in the business.

Hale End has been producing several outstanding young players year after year, and that has helped Arsenal save millions on the transfer market.

Bukayo Saka could be Arsenal’s best academy product in over three decades, while Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have shown the potential to become superstars.

But, not every young player is good enough to make it into the first-team and get regular minutes there, even if they are incredibly talented.

Nwaneri has had his say on one such player.

Ethan Nwaneri shares what he thinks about Nathan Butle-Oyedeji at Arsenal

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji joined Arsenal’s youth system when he was just eight years old.

The talented forward came through the ranks at the club’s academy and impressed everyone along the way in different age groups.

There was a lot of hope that Butler-Oyedeji would make it at the top level, but his loan spells to Accrington Stanley and then to Cheltenham weren’t as successful as he would’ve liked.

The youngster returned to Arsenal and started playing really well for the academy sides. His performances earned him a call-up to senior training sessions under Mikel Arteta.

After making his Champions League debut against Dinamo Zagreb earlier this season, Butler-Oyedeji made his Premier League debut against Leicester City on Sunday.

Following his appearance, Nwaneri heaped praise on him.

He told Arsenal.com: “Nathan’s a top, top player. He’s so sharp, his finishing is so good, so he deserves it. I’m so happy to see him out there on the pitch.

“It’s someone I’ve played with for the last few years in the academy, so it was so good to see him out there.”

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji could leave Arsenal

Butler-Oyedeji has made two senior appearances for Arsenal this season, but he may not make too many more.

Arsenal Insider exclusively revealed that Butler-Oyedeji’s contract will expire this summer, and as things stand, Arsenal haven’t offered him an extension.

All signs point towards an exit for the attacker, who is 22 already.

Jack Wilshere’s Norwich City are interested in signing Butler-Oyedeji, and we won’t be surprised if a few more teams join the race for his signature in the coming months.

It remains to be seen where Butler-Oyedeji will end up if Arsenal don’t offer him a new deal this summer.