Mikel Arteta blamed for creating ‘problem’ with Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri

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Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes that Mikel Arteta has handled the development of Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri poorly.

In September 2022, Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history when he came off the bench for Arsenal against Brentford. The midfielder was 15 years and 181 days old when he made his debut for the north London club.

However, Nwaneri has not been seen in action for Mikel Arteta’s senior side since that historic day.

The 16-year-old has continued to impress within the Hale End academy setup. He recently scored five goals in one match against Crewe Alexandra in an FA Youth Cup clash.

Following his five goal haul at academy level, Nwaneri travelled to the Netherlands and took a place on the bench as Arsenal finished off their Champions League group stage campaign against PSV Eindhoven.

Prior to that match, Arteta talked up Nwaneri’s quality, even likening him to Jack Wilshere. 

Despite this, Nwaneri did not make it onto the pitch against PSV, much to the frustration of many Arsenal fans.

How should Arsenal handle Ethan Nwaneri?

Arteta had good reason to go with more experienced substitutes against the Dutch outfit. However, there is now a feverish sense of excitement around Nwaneri since he made his debut at such an extraordinarily early age. There is, understandably, a huge appetite at the Emirates Stadium to see more of the youngster. 

Danny Murphy is convinced that Arteta pushed Nwaneri into the spotlight too soon. Speaking on talkSPORT, he said of the Spanish coach’s decision to test the wonderkid on the biggest stage last year, “I think it should be for the right reasons. Which is ‘he’s good enough to be around this and actually in 6 to 12 months he’s going to be around it hell of a lot more so let’s get him used to it’”

“That should be the real intention behind it and and I think generally it is. But when you’re putting a 15-year-old into one of the biggest clubs in the country I think you’re creating a problem.”

There is certainly now plenty of pressure, not to mention huge expectation, on Nwaneri. It is easy to forget that he is a child. Murphy makes a good point. It should be questioned how healthy it is to use players so young in senior football.

Clearly, Nwaneri is highly thought of at Arsenal. He may well go on to be a star for the club. That is all a long way off, though. For now, patience and perspective is required when it comes to Nwaneri.