Journalist Charles Watts has now suggested that one Hale End academy star is destined to follow in the footsteps of Bukayo Saka at Arsenal.
Bukayo Saka has been one of the greatest homegrown success stories at Arsenal in recent years.
Not since Jack Wilshere first burst onto the scene has a player come through the Gunners’ academy system and had such a huge impact at the first-team level. The 22-year-old is a talismanic figure at the Emirates Stadium and a key player in Mikel Arteta’s regular starting XI.
The England winger is the north London club’s most prolific attacker. So far this season he has already chalked up 16 goals and 13 assists in 37 outings, across all competitions. Saka is now an established star and considered to be “world-class” by many.
For any youngsters currently on the books at Arsenal, Saka represents something to aspire towards. Whilst he isn’t the only Hale End graduate in Arteta’s first-team, as Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah all also came through the academy system, only Saka has nailed down a regular starting berth this season.
Ethan Nwaneri aiming to emulate Bukayo Saka
Ethan Nwaneri will have his eye on securing a place of his own in Arteta’s first-team squad in the near future. The 17-year-old midfield wonderkid is certainly a huge talent. In 2022, as a second-half substitute against Brentford, he became the youngest player in Arsenal and Premier League history.
Arteta clearly believes that the teenager has a big future, and is preparing him for it. Club captain Martin Odegaard is now mentoring Nwaneri. Arteta has also held conversations with Nwaneri himself.
What Mikel Arteta has planned for Ethan Nwaneri at Arsenal
Charles Watts has now given an insight into the kind of career trajectory that is foreseen for the England under-17 international. Writing in his Daily Briefing column, the reporter said, “it’s going to be interesting to see how Arsenal plan Nwaneri’s pathway over the next couple of years. They like to send their youngsters out on loan, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Nwaneri follows a similar path to Saka and just integrates slowly into the first-team squad. Arsenal do believe he has the talent and the physical capability to do that, but of course a lot depends on how he performs when he is given a chance.”
“I think pre-season this summer will be really important for him. I expect him to go on the US tour and he will get a good opportunity to show what he can do. If he takes that chance, then we could see him involved next season.”
Nwaneri is now set to sign his first professional contract with Arsenal. Once that is in place, it will surely only be a matter of time before he becomes a more regular fixture in the first-team picture. Arsenal fans will certainly be eager to see more of the starlet in action.
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