Theo Walcott has now sent a clear message to Mikel Arteta concerning Ethan Nwaneri.
Ethan Nwaneri has taken huge strides forward at Arsenal this season.
The 17-year-old midfielder is rapidly establishing himself in the first team squad at the Emirates Stadium.
The Hale End academy graduate opened his goalscoring account in the Premier League last time out. Nwaneri became the youngest Arsenal player since Cesc Fabregas to find the back of the net in the competition.
He has now travelled to Portugal with the rest of Mikel Arteta’s squad, as the Gunners are set to take on Sporting CP in a Champions League clash on Tuesday evening.
Theo Walcott changes stance on Ethan Nwaneri
Arsenal fans are hugely excited about Nwaneri, and for good reason. The teenager is dazzlingly talented and has enormous potential. He has already shown that he can shine at the highest level, and is demonstrating the maturity and mentality required to make the step up to the big time.
Plenty are keen to see Arteta start affording Nwaneri more starts and game time, including Theo Walcott, after having had a change of heart.
Earlier this season, Walcott cautioned Arteta against playing Nwaneri too often. However, having now seen what the youngster is capable of, the former Arsenal winger regrets that he wasn’t given more opportunities whilst Martin Odegaard was sidelined with injury.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Walcott admitted: “I just wanted to see a little bit more of him [Nwaneri] while Odegaard was out because he is different and Arsenal needed different.”
Arsenal missed Odegaard’s creativity whilst he was out of action, which hugely impacted their Premier League form. Nwaneri might have been able to give the Gunners some of their missing spark back, had he been afforded more minutes during that period.
Will Ethan Nwaneri start for Arsenal vs Sporting CP?
The Arsenal manager will firmly defend his cautious use of the England under-19 international. Arteta has discussed the need to act responsibly with Nwaneri, and to adopt a patient approach as far as his development is concerned.
It is vital that he isn’t overburdened with responsibility and thrust into the limelight too quickly. Whilst Walcott has performed a U-turn, Arteta is correct to stick to his patient strategy with Nwaneri, whilst it may frustrate some Arsenal fans.
However, Nwaneri may well be in line to start for Arsenal in their Champions League encounter with Sporting CP.
With Odegaard still working his way back to full fitness, there is no need to risk starting him in this fixture, as the Gunners have already qualified for the next phase of Europe’s elite club competition.
Nwaneri deserves the chance to strut his stuff on the continental stage, and had shown that he is ready for that next step.
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