Arsenal have developed a reputation for developing exceptional players through their Hale End academy but, according to Bukayo Saka, one of his current teammates is destined to “go to the top.”
Saka is no stranger to breakout academy stars, having himself broken into the Arsenal first-team at a very young age after developing in the club’s Hale End academy – but the 23-year-old is now one of the most established, and longest-serving, players at the club.
Now, as one of the Gunners’ most prominent stars who has, at times, worn the famed captain’s armband to lead his team, Saka has identified one of his young teammates who he believes is destined to “go to the top.”
Emerson Nwaneri Saka
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Speaking to Prime Video, in an interview with former Arsenal star Theo Walcott, Saka was asked if he saw himself as a role model for 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri – who has broken into the first team this season, quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting, and most talked about, players at the club.
In full praise for the young creative midfielder, Saka responded: “Yeah 100 per cent, I feel I have to make myself available for him if he needs to speak to me. I try to do that of course. Ethan is a really top talent and I believe in him, and I think he’s going to go to the top [of the game].”
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Nwaneri has so far made 11 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal in the 2024/25 season, including two starts, and has an impressive four goals to show for his efforts, with one in the Premier League and three in the Carabao Cup – where both of his starts have come.
Saka is not the only one raving about Nwaneri, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also saying: “We wanted to create the room and the space for Ethan [Nwaneri]. He has given us every reason to trust him,” during his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s game against Fulham this Sunday.
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