Arsenal fans might have been somewhat surprised by how little Ethan Nwaneri featured under Mikel Arteta towards the end of last season.
During his breakthrough campaign at Arsenal, Ethan Nwaneri made 37 appearances and scored nine goals, a season in which he turned 18 years old.
Despite his reluctance to put too much pressure on young players, Arteta was forced to turn to Nwaneri when Bukayo Saka needed surgery on his hamstring, and the Hale End graduate delivered.
Nwaneri played wide on the right and was superb cutting inside and beating his man, a player fans were excited to watch alongside Saka when he returned.
However, once Saka returned to fitness, Nwaneri was very rarely used — Arteta decided to take the youngster out of the spotlight and he was given an extended rest.
And with Nwaneri now playing a prominent role for England U21s at the Euros, that looks like a very sensible decision.
Lee Carsley impressed with Ethan Nwaneri on the left for England
That being said, Nwaneri has appeared fresh and raring to go for England at the Euros, already featuring in the first two games of the tournament under boss Lee Carsley.
The Arsenal youngster was used as a substitute in game one, and then started against Slovenia on Sunday evening in a 0-0 draw.
But interestingly for Arsenal fans, Nwaneri played in a left wing role, one he’s seldom played for the Gunners.
And speaking after the game, England U21 manager Carsley was very impressed with the 18-year-old.
Ethan Nwaneri for England U21s vs Slovenia.
Photo by Tullio Puglia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
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Carsley said: “Just the balance of receiving the ball in the pocket and giving us width. I thought he did that really well.
“We all know he can play really effectively on the right-hand side, and it’s just another string to his bow if he can play two or three different positions.
“If you look at the pitch, it probably doesn’t suit dribblers because it was a little bit long and dry.
“But I thought he was a threat. I love watching him play. Players like that really get you excited when they get the ball because you feel something is going to happen.
“It just would have been nice if he took that chance for his work rate and the positions he gets in, to finish it off would have been great for him.”
Harvey Elliott praise suggests Ethan Nwaneri can save Arsenal money
Nwaneri was seriously promising in a left wing role for England, even if he didn’t quite manage to win the game when he manufactured a big chance.
But considering Arsenal want to sign a left winger this summer, Nwaneri’s performance on the opposite flank could be very interesting to those back in north London.
Arsenal are interested in Rafael Leao and other superstar wingers, and the AC Milan forward might even end up costing the club around £110m were a move pursued.
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But on evidence of Sunday’s game, Nwaneri could still have a future competing with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, a seriously versatile forward who will be searching for a route into the starting eleven.
As things stand, Arsenal might use Nwaneri as a number 10 moving forward, a player ready to compete with captain Martin Odegaard.
But judging by Liverpool star Harvey Elliott’s verdict in addition to Carsley’s, Nwaneri could thrive in almost any forward position moving forward for the Gunners.
Also speaking after the 0-0 draw with Slovenia, Elliott said: “Ethan’s one of many in this squad who can create something out of nothing.
“I thought he played very well today, especially the way he was positive. He created many chances for us and on another day we could have been two, three or four goals up and it’s a different story.”