‘Something about him’… David Dein left blown away by ‘revelation’ Arsenal have now unearthed

Add as preferred source on Google

For Arsenal chief David Dein could not contain his excitement about one player now coming through the ranks at the Emirates Stadium. 

Arsenal have had a number of iconic players emerge from their Hale End academy system in the past. 

The greatest recent success story of the Gunners’ academy must surely be the rise of Bukayo Saka, who is now a talismanic figure at the Emirates Stadium, with more than 200 first team appearances to his name.

Mikel Arteta is now bringing through the next generation of homegrown talents. Myles Lewis-Skelly recently impressed Arsenal fans as he made his first start against Bolton Wanderers in an EFL Cup clash.

However, there is perhaps an even greater degree of excitement surrounding the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri. 

• READ MORE: Every Arsenal academy player to make their senior debuts under Mikel Arteta

David Dein gives verdict on Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri

David Dein served as Arsenal’s vice-chairman between 1983 and 2007. For much of that time, he worked closely with long-serving manager Arsene Wenger, playing his part in overseeing the most successful period in the club’s recent history. 

Wenger developed a reputation for showing faith in young players, and brought the likes of Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas through from academy football onto the senior stage.

Therefore, Dein is abundantly qualified to give his view on young players and the signs of potential that they possess. 

Speaking on talkSPORT (29/09/2024, 10:09), he have his verdict on Nwaneri following his display against Leicester, saying: “Seeing him come on even for a few minutes was a revelation, you can see there’s something about him.”

Why Arsenal are so excited about Ethan Nwaneri

Arsenal have been aware of the 17-year-old’s potential and quality for some time, as Arteta made him the youngest player in the club’s history as he handed him his first team debut back in 2022. 

Now, though, the teenager looks to be truly ready to make his breakthrough at the highest level. Nwaneri has been deemed “special” by former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson, and signs of that being the case are already obvious. 

Against Bolton, he scored his first goals for the club, netting a brace against the League One outfit. Against Leicester City last time out, Nwaneri improved Arsenal by replacing Thomas Partey, helping the Gunners to go on and win the game in the final stages. 

Arteta now needs to keep showing faith in the England under-19 international, giving him regular game time to progress and develop, whilst remaining cautious not to heap too much pressure on the youngster too soon.