Arsenal are a club very much on the up, having gone from an upper-mid table Premier League club to a regular title challenger.
Mikel Arteta has done a superb job at the Emirates Stadium since taking the reins in 2019, turning his squad into a world-class unit boasting the right character.
One of the biggest successes for Arteta at Arsenal has been signing Martin Odegaard, who has reached his potential many times over since joining the Gunners.
In addition, Arsenal’s academy has been producing world-class talents in recent years, with Ethan Nwaneri one of the latest backed to make it big.
Now, Odegaard has spoken about why he’s “really proud” of Nwaneri, as well as making a prediction about the Hale End graduate’s future.
Martin Odegaard and Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal watch on from the substitutes bench prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match ...
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard tips Ethan Nwaneri to ‘get better and better’
Odegaard, speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League meeting with Monaco, said he’s been wowed by Nwaneri playing with “such confidence and eagerness” at such a young age.
The Gunners captain also said he has been doing his best to help Nwaneri, though he also stressed the need to let the youngster express himself and not micro-manage him.
Odegaard also backed the 17-year-old midfielder to “get better and better” as he continues to develop as a player.
“I’ve been trying to help him in many different ways,” said Odegaard, as per football.london.
“For a young player sometimes it’s best to help him be himself and don’t be too much on him. For him it’s about showing his talent and keep on going.
“For his age to play with such confidence and eagerness I’m really proud of him. He will just get better and better.”
When asked just how good Nwaneri is, Odegaard replied: “I don’t want to put too much pressure on him but he’s an unbelievable player. I don’t see him as a talent – I see him as a really good player.”
Ethan Nwaneri became the ninth-youngest goalscorer in Premier League history on the weekend 👶
See the eight players who were even younger when they scored their first goal! 👇 pic.twitter.com/qSVKWOLfHT
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 27, 2024
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What Mikel Arteta and Bukayo Saka have said about Nwaneri
Nwaneri has been making waves at Arsenal and surely it won’t be long before he becomes an established Premier League and international star.
Odegaard is the latest of a number of Gunners figures who have sung Nwaneri’s praises.
For instance, Bukayo Saka has described Nwaneri as “a really top talent” who should be “going to go to the top.”
Meanwhile, Arteta recently said: Nwaneri has “given us every reason to trust him. He’s shown that he’s ready to make the next step and it’s great to have him.”
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