Martin Odegaard has tipped Ethan Nwaneri for a bright future at Arsenal - having been impressed by the quality he has already shown at just 17.
The teenager has won the praise of Mikel Arteta and supporters in his 12 appearances this term, having scored four times. Nwaneri starred in the academy last season with 10 goals in 13 Premier League 2 matches and six strikes in two FA Youth Cup ties, including five against Crewe Under-18s.
The attacking midfielder had by then already become the youngest-ever Premier League debutant, having come on late against Brentford in September 2022, aged just 15 years and 181 days.
Arsenal captain Odegaard had a similarly early introduction into the senior game, making his first-team debut also at age 15 while playing for Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset in 2014. He was famously snapped up by Real Madrid 18 months later.
Odegaard struggled to initially reach the levels many expected him to in Madrid and was subsequently sent out on loan multiple times, including to Arsenal in 2021 before signing permanently that summer.
Now 25, the skipper says he is keen to help nurture Nwaneri without placing too much pressure on him given the experiences he had at a similar age.
“Obviously it was a big change for me to go to Madrid at 16 years old, and I was still a baby when I look back now,” he said.
“I think I just learned what it feels to be a young player in a senior squad and it’s not always the most easy thing, so that’s something I keep in mind now when younger players are coming up to the first team. I know how they feel and just try to help them as much as possible.”
On Nwaneri, he added: “I have been trying to help him in many different ways. I think for a young player, sometimes it is just to help him to be himself and feel natural, and don’t be like too much on him.
“I think everyone can see the qualities he has and for him it is just about showing that and enjoying and keep improving all the time.”
Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri celebrates scoring against Nottingham Forest
Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri celebrates scoring against Nottingham Forest (Image: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Many at Arsenal have high hopes for Nwaneri, who is an England Under-19 international. The youngster usually featured in Odegaard's number 10 role in the academy but can also play on the right wing.
Arteta has utilised this versatility during his outings this term, having used him in both roles. Odegaard waxed lyrical about Nwaneri’s temperament, which sends encouragement to fans that Arteta is future-proofing his squad.
Odegaard added: “[Nwaneri] is doing amazing. I think, for his age, to play the way he plays, with such confidence, with such enthusiasm, eagerness to get on the ball and always show his quality.
“I am really, really happy for him and proud of him for what he is doing and I am sure there’s a lot more to come because he is a good boy with a good mentality. He will just get better and better.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure and too big words on him, but he is an unbelievable player already. I don’t think there’s any reason to speak about the talent because everyone can see that.”