Ethan Nwaneri has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Arsenal
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Mikel Arteta believes Ethan Nwaneri has taken a “big step” by being called up for England’s Under-21 squad and has backed him to thrive under “phenomenal coach” Lee Carsley.
Nwaneri earned his first call-up to the England Under-21 squad on Friday after a breakthrough season with Arsenal.
The 17-year-old, who has been capped by England at Under-19 level, has scored eight goals for Arsenal this season and had been tipped as an outsider to make Thomas Tuchel’s senior squad.
Nwaneri, unlike fellow Arsenal academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, will have to wait for that - but Arteta believes a spell with the Under-21s now will be beneficial for the forward.
England’s Under-21 side have two huge games this month against France and Portugal, with Arteta excited that Nwaneri is working under his old Everton team-mate, Lee Carsley.
“It’s a big step,” he said. “He’s 17 years old and he’s playing with the under-21s with all the names that they have in the team.
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“I spoke to Lee this morning and I’m glad that he’s his coach because I’ve known him very well since we played together for many years. It’s a great pathway and development for him and a great experience for him.
“Lee just said that he was going to select him and I know him. He’s a phenomenal coach and person - unique.
“So I know he’s going to look after him and push him in the right way. He’s going to hear a different coach with different ideas and this is always so good for a young player.”
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Mikel Arteta
Ethan Nwaneri
Lee Carsley
England Under-21s
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