Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been warned to stop holding back Ethan Nwaneri as the youngster looks to grow his impact on the first team.
The youngster has been in the limelight for a few seasons now, having become Arsenal’s youngest-ever player at just 15 years old.
Since that debut in the Premier League, Ethan Nwaneri has been slowly given minutes to ease him into the team.
Goals in cup competitions and then the league have helped show what the forward is capable of, though his minutes have still been limited.
It has led to some Arsenal fans calling on Mikel Arteta to give him more opportunities, something that is now backed up by one Arsenal legend.
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Alan Smith gives verdict on how Mikel Arteta has managed Ethan Nwaneri
With Nwaneri getting another 45 minutes under his belt in Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace, many have wondered when he will get a real shot at a run of starts.
As his talent is clear, those questions are rising, ones that Arteta will have to answer if he can’t offer that time to the youngster.
The manager’s efforts with Nwaneri were questioned by Alan Smith, with the former Arsenal star suggesting the playmaker can’t be held back much longer.
He told Sky Sports before the match with Crystal Palace: “He [Arteta] has been quite cautious with him [Nwaneri].
“Every time he’s come on, he doesn’t look like a player that needs holding back but Arteta sees him every day in training, he’s conscious that he is a young lad still but what a talent. What a talent.
“And because Arsenal have had some problems on the left where Martinelli hasn’t been performing, Trossard, you wonder ‘Could he stick him out there? Could he get a tune out of him on the left?’.
“You can’t hold a player of that quality back for too much longer. The thing is, his favourite position I think is Saka’s position but he’s more than capable of shifting across that line.”
It remains to be seen just how much time will be handed to Nwaneri ahead of a busy Christmas period, which could offer some opportunities to rotate.
Should Ethan Nwaneri be getting more minutes at Arsenal?
Nwaneri has propelled himself into the spotlight at Arsenal as their next great Hale End hope, one that could prove to be the difference in years to come.
At 17 years old, there is still a long career ahead of him and one that Arteta has already said he wishes to build brick by brick.
The manager has been keen to stress that Nwaneri shouldn’t be pushed too fast, which may be for his own benefit.
With the physical and mental demands of senior football, stringing together too much and too fast could be detrimental.
However, don’t give him enough time and not only does he perhaps not develop, but he could look to move elsewhere.
| Appearances | 15 |
| Minutes | 350 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | – |
It’s a fine balance that the management staff have to get right as he is simply too talented not to get it spot on.
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