Arsenal youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are two of the most exciting young talents in the Premier League right now.
The two teenagers have been known to Gooners as huge talents for a couple of years, but they showed the world what they are made of after getting opportunities this season.
Both Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly are regular starters now more often than not, and everyone at Arsenal’s Academy should be really proud of that.
One man who deserves a lot of credit is Jack Wilshere, who was the U18s manager at Arsenal and oversaw Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly’s development when they were coming through the ranks.
The former Arsenal star has now had his say on the two teenagers.
Jack Wilshere delivers verdict on Arsenal duo Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly
Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly were viewed as future stars when they were as young as 15.
The two players were phenomenal for the youth sides, and almost always played above their age group when they were in Hale End.
Wilshere managed them when he was the U18s boss, and both players impressed while playing under the former Arsenal midfielder.
The 33-year-old, who is now a coach at Norwich City, has opened up about his first thoughts about Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly.
Wilshere has claimed that he ‘understood’ immediately after watching the pair that they will make it into the Arsenal first-team.
He told The Guardian: “I was lucky as well, though, because when I first started with the team there was Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly who were doing things that none of the other players could do.
“You could see and measure where they were versus where others were. I understood that those two were probably going to go on and play for Arsenal and that for this other group of players, which was just as important, we needed to find a way of making them have a career in the game.”
Speaking about the difference between the two, Wilshere added: “They could pick the ball up in any situation, in under-15s, under-16s, in under-18s football, and make something happen.
“More importantly, Myles is very team-oriented, he’s more of a natural leader and wants to bring everyone with him.
“Whereas Ethan is just really driven, he’d come and seek advice, feedback from coaches.”
Arsenal have another wonderkid coming through – Hale End may have done it again
Hale End is arguably the best youth system in England. Arsenal’s Academy has produced several phenomenal talents over the years.
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe became big stars a few years ago, while Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly are following in their footsteps now.
Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven left for Manchester United, but they made their name at youth level during their time at Arsenal.
Now, another young talent is coming through, and everyone who has watched him play believes he will be in the first team soon – Max Dowman.
Seeing Saka, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly and Dowman all in the Arsenal first-team together would be a fantastic sight and more proof that Hale End is the best.
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