‘Crazy’ Arsenal player needs to permanently change his position after pre-season win vs AC Milan

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One of the standouts from Arsenal’s pre-season win over AC Milan was Ethan Nwaneri.

It was Hale End to the world in Singapore, as Arsenal kicked off their pre-season tour of Asia.

After Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly enjoyed breakthroughs over the 2025/26 campaign, others of the next generation showed their worth against Milan.

Arsenal won 1-0 against Milan, with 15-year-old pair Max Dowman and Marli Salmon getting minutes, as well as 18-year-old Josh Nicols.

As expected, Dowman impressed Arsenal fans with his performance, but on the night, it was undoubtedly Nwaneri who stole the show.

• READ MORE: What Mikel Merino did to Marli Salmon after Arsenal’s penalty shoot-out defeat, fans will love it

Ethan Nwaneri needs to stay in attacking midfield

One of the first things Arsenal fans noticed was how much Nwaneri has grown, appearing to be a lot taller with a more muscular physique.

The hard work in the gym has clearly paid off for the teenager, who was utterly untouchable at times against Milan.

It’s fair to say that Strahinja Pavlovic won’t want to see Nwaneri anytime soon, as the young Gunner outskilled the 24-year-old devilishly during the contest.

From flicks, tricks, shots and passes, Nwaneri was at his brilliant best, and the reason why he was so good was no coincidence.

Arteta deployed the 18-year-old in his favoured central attacking midfield position, away from the right wing, where he played the majority of last season.

What became abundantly clear from Nwaneri’s performance against Milan was that he’s too good to be sacrificed to cover in a different position.

Arteta must no longer regard the academy jewel as an option on the flanks, but as an out-and-out attacking midfielder, the same way he sees Martin Odegaard, for example. 

Martin Odegaard might be cautious of Nwaneri

Many members of the Arsenal squad have commented on Nwaneri’s ‘crazy’ ability, with the bar set to be raised next season.

What’s exciting about the teen is that he was so good on the right wing, but the difference in how comfortable he looked was there for all to see when he moved infield.

Some Arsenal fans think Nwaneri could usurp Odegaard in Arteta’s pecking order next season, which, after seeing his display against Milan, is far from an overreaction.

Arteta has all the tools to get Nwaneri to the next level, with there being no excuse but to play the Englishman in the number ten role from now on.