Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in an outstanding performance, and Mikel Arteta will be delighted with what he just saw.
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri handed Arsenal a much-needed three points, in a truly impressive display.
Saka and Martin Odegaard linked up superbly before they came off in the late stages, but Nwaneri came on to score his first-ever Premier League goal, in a moment which he may never forget.
Mikel Arteta has now praised the talented teenager, and has claimed that there will be plenty more to come from the 17-year-old.
Mikel Arteta praises Ethan Nwaneri after Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest
Speaking after the victory at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta claimed that Arsenal now need to nurture Nwaneri in the best possible way to maximise his huge potential.
“He is the second youngest [Premier League goalscorer] in our history,” Arteta stated.
“That’s a story in itself. He’s brave. You see the reaction of fans and they were singing ‘he’s one of our own’.
“I think we have to put brick by brick and make sure the cement doesn’t get dry. Hopefully we can build a beautiful thing with him.”
Ethan Nwaneri’s Arsenal stats this season
Whilst Nwaneri’s low strike against Forest was his first in the Premier League, it was merely the latest moment in what has been a sensational breakout campaign for the teenager.
Nwaneri now has four goals to his name in all competitions, having scored three times in the EFL Cup against Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End.
The midfielder has also scored twice for the England under-19 side in their European Championship qualifying matches, and across club and country, has scored goals in nine appearances.
Many fans want to see Nwaneri play more, but Odegaard’s return and Arteta’s comments suggest that he will continue to be eased in carefully as one of Arsenal’s biggest talents since Saka came through in 2018.
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