The international break is over and attention for Arsenal turns towards how they can overcome Real Madrid over two legs in the Champions League.
The Gunners are all but out of the Premier League title race, but Mikel Arteta will very much believe that his side can go all the way to Munich and reach the final of Europe’s elite competition.
Arteta’s squad reconvened at London Colney earlier this week, where they’ve no doubt been put through their paces physically and tactically, ahead of a gruelling run-in.
Arsenal had 14 players away on international duty, one of whom made waves in his national team’s set-up.
Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri tipped for imminent England senior call-up
Ethan Nwaneri earned his first international call-up to England’s under-21 squad this March, narrowly missing out on a space in Thomas Tuchel’s senior side.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was named in Tuchel’s ensemble, which no doubt might’ve sparked a fire inside Nwaneri, seeing the spotlight his Hale End counterpart enjoyed.
However, Nwaneri enjoyed his time in the youth team, scoring on his full debut, spectacularly curling past the Portugal under-21 goalkeeper from the edge of the box at the Hawthorns on Monday night.
The 17-year-old impressed those at St. George’s Park so much that, according to the Sun, members of the Football Association feel ‘it’s only a matter of time’ before the Arsenal star is selected by Tuchel.
The publication indicate that Nwaneri was always the last one to leave the training pitches in the camp, alongside former Gunners winger Omari Hutchinson.
If he is in Tuchel’s roster for the June internationals and he earns his first cap, then he’ll become the ninth youngest player to ever play for the Three Lions – another milestone achievement for a player that continues to break records at an early age.
What England under-21 manager Lee Carsley said about Ethan Nwaneri
Arteta has waxed lyrical about Nwaneri throughout this season, and he’s not the only coach that is fond of the starlet.
Lee Carsley, who took the player under his tutelage for the first time over this international break, heaped praise on the youngster after his exploits for the England under-21s.
Speaking after the Portugal clash, Carsely acknowledged Nwaneri’s trademark finish.
“It’s definitely a finish he’s got,” the former England interim boss said.
“Noni’s [Madueke] got the same finish where everyone knows exactly what’s going to happen, but you just cannot stop it. So you know he’s going to go, touch, finish and he took his goal so well.
“He took his goal so well but we have to keep remembering he’s 18, unbelievable isn’t it?
“What an impression he has made. It’s important we look after him and make sure that, going to the tournament in the summer, is the right thing.
“Obviously, we’ll work with Arsenal and make sure that we’re on the same page.”
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