Mikel Arteta says there’s one thing he ‘loves’ about Ethan Nwaneri after Arsenal display vs Girona

Add as preferred source on Google

It was a night to remember for Ethan Nwaneri on his full Champions League debut for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta showed great trust in Nwaneri, handing the 17-year-old his second consecutive Arsenal start.

For the first time in his career, the Englishman started in the Champions League, marking the occasion in style.

Nwaneri became Arsenal’s second-youngest Champions League scorer by netting the winning goal in the contest against Girona, finishing a sublime effort from the edge of the box.

• READ MORE: Ethan Nwaneri sparkles but a night to forget for one Arsenal debutant – Arsenal player ratings vs Girona

Mikel Arteta reveals what he loves about Ethan Nwaneri

Arteta has always been an admirer of Nwaneri, as seen when he handed the midfielder his Premier League debut at just 15.

The Spaniard’s trust in the England U18 international is only growing, with the teenager repaying the Arsenal manager with incredibly mature performances.

After Arsenal’s win over Girona, Arteta revealed to the media what the Gunners ‘love’ so much about Nwaneri, following his stunning Champions League goal.

“That’s what we love about him. He’s very aggressive,” Arteta said in his post-match press conference.

“Before that [goal]he had another action he made the right choice, he went for it.”

By writing his name into the Gunners’ history books, adding to his tally to join a glistening list of Arsenal’s youngest goalscorers, Nwaneri is becoming a talent impossible to ignore.

Nwaneri on the right path to becoming an Arsenal starter

With six goals from only seven Arsenal starts in all competitions this season, Arteta must be thinking about when, and how, to fit Nwaneri into his starting XI.

The 17-year-old’s emergence is not only a fairytale story but, is an instance where he’s simply playing way beyond his age group.

Arteta now has the dilemma of how to manage Nwaneri’s next steps, as it’s becoming more and more clear that the teenager is a capable starter.

The injury to Bukayo Saka presents an opening for the 2007-born star to strengthen his claim to the starting XI, with this season proving to be career-defining for Nwaneri.