Ethan Nwaneri among six Hale End teens called up to Arsenal training ahead of Burnley

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Ethan Nwaneri is one of a number of young Arsenal talents to now be training with the first team ahead of their trip to Burnley.

Ethan Nwaneri will be hoping to get another taste of Premier League action when Arsenal take on Burnley on Saturday.

Six of the Gunners’ most promising Hale End academy prospects have been spotted training with Mikel Arteta’s first team group this week, as they prepare for their clash with Burnley.

The Gunners will be considered heavy favourites heading into the encounter at Turf Moor, but there can be no room for complacency. Arsenal have to take the threat that the Clarets pose seriously, and must do a professional job to ensure that they secure all three points and maintain their pace in the title race.

That being said, if the Gunners can rack up a comfortable lead with time to spare, as they did when beating West Ham United 6-0 last time out, then Arteta may once again feel comfortable handing some senior minutes to a talented youth team ace.

Against the Hammers, Nwaneri was introduced from the bench in the 77th minute. The 16-year-old was making just his second senior appearance for the club, having become the youngest player in Arsenal and Premier League history when he made his debut against Brentford back in September 2022.

Who are the other Arsenal young guns training with Ethan Nwaneri?

There has been huge clamour from Arsenal fans wanting to see more of Nwaneri, and they will be delighted to see that he has been training with the first team this week. As reported by Jeorge Bird on X, Nwaneri has been joined at London Colney by Reuell Walters, Mauro Bandeira, James Hillson, Ayden Heaven, and James Sweet.

Of course, not all six of these youngsters will make the bench when Arsenal travel to Turf Moor, but at least a couple are likely to, with Nwaneri chief amongst them. Walters and Bandeira were also amongst the substitutes at the London Stadium on Sunday, but both are still awaiting the chance to make their first-team bow.

Walters’ involvement with the first team at this time may well be part of an effort to keep him at Arsenal, as his contract is soon set to expire and he is yet to commit his future to the club. Journalist Charles Watts expects Walters to leave Arsenal this summer, but Arteta may well be trying to show the 19-year-old defender that a pathway to the first team still exists for him in north London.