Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has now sent a warning to Ethan Nwaneri.
Ethan Nwaneri was handed his first senior start by Mikel Arteta on Wednesday evening as Arsenal took on Bolton Wanderers in an EFL Cup clash.
The Gunners put the League One side to the sword with a 5-1 victory, and Nwaneri was the star of the show.
The 17-year-old marked his first start with his first Arsenal goals as he bagged a brace against the Trotters. The teenager was able to connect with a low Raheem Sterling cross in the first half, before capitalising on some poor defending and adding his second after the break.
Arsenal fans were wowed by Nwaneri and will be hoping to see much more of the Hale End academy wonderkid this season.
However, whilst the England under-19 certainly looks ready to compete at the highest level on a more regular basis, he faces plenty of competition for game time at the Emirates Stadium.
Paul Merson identifies challenge facing Ethan Nwaneri at Arsenal
As far as Paul Merson is concerned, the players currently ahead of Nwaneri in the pecking order represent a huge hurdle for him to overcome.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Arsenal icon said: “He’s a good player. The problem is it’s so, so hard. It’s hard to go and play for Arsenal on a consistent basis, especially nowadays when you can go and get anybody from around the world.
“For this kid to be playing… Fair play to Arsenal for giving the opportunity… It’s clever the way Arsenal are doing it. They’re putting these kids in just at the right time, when the team are flying, players around them are full of confidence.
“You’ve still got to get on that pitch in front of 60,000 and perform. Fair play to Arsenal and fair play to him. You hear the whispers, the kid’s a special player.
“A special player. He’s just got to be given a chance on a consistent basis, but he needs to be patient because he’s at one of the best clubs in the world.”
The pathway laid out for Nwaneri
Whilst fans are understandably excited about Nwaneri, the truth is that there is no rush for him to be playing for Arsenal week in, week out.
Arteta needs to handle his development with care, and that may well entail putting some limitations on his game time. The youngster needs to be given time to gradually adjust to becoming an important player for Arsenal, and all that comes with that responsibility both on and off the pitch.
Nwaneri has developed faster than Arteta expected, but he is still in the nascent stages of his career and trying to rush his progress would likely do him more harm than good. The player needs to recognise this too and show patience, as suggested by Merson.
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