Ethan Nwaneri impresses on Arsenal audition as Mikel Arteta eyes Bukayo Saka alternative

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·2 January 2025

Ethan Nwaneri impresses on Arsenal audition as Mikel Arteta eyes Bukayo Saka alternative

Teenager offered an exciting glimpse of what he could offer the Gunners in Saka's absence

Given he is still only 17, it feels ludicrous to say Ethan Nwaneri has had to be patient in waiting for his first Premier League start.

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But when you make your Premier League debut at 15, becoming the youngest player in history to do so, then you can probably expect things to happen quickly.

Mikel Arteta, however, has blooded Nwaneri slowly since allowing him to make history over two years ago and it was not until yesterday that the teenager started a Premier League game for the first time.

Fittingly, it was at Brentford - the same place Nwaneri made his debut in 2022. Arteta said on that day over two years ago, it was a “gut feeling” that led him to playing the teenager.

On this occasion, Arteta was again struck by a feeling that he should look to Nwaneri as Arsenal search for answers on the right flank in the absence of Bukayo Saka.

“I thought he was the best player to play in the position to start the game and because there was a story there, with his debut here,” said Arteta.

“Sometimes that feeling comes in and you feel it’s the right one and who knows. I think he was really composed, really determined, taking risks, taking initiative. Very impressive.”

Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri impressed on his full Premier League debut.

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The question is whether Arteta has that same urge to start Nwaneri again on Saturday, when Arsenal head to Brighton.

The temptation will surely be there, because this was an impressive full league debut from the 17-year-old in difficult circumstances.

Arsenal were hit with a sickness bug in the build-up to this trip to Brentford, forcing Kai Havertz to be left out of the squad entirely.

Declan Rice was on the bench with a niggle and Nwaneri was thrust onto the right flank in the absence of Saka, who will not be back until March at the earliest due to a hamstring injury.

When Bryan Mbeumo put Brentford ahead inside the first 15 minutes, you feared Arsenal could collapse at a time when any slip-up would make Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League insurmountable.

The Gunners, however, rallied and that was in part thanks to Nwaneri. He had a steady first-half, completing all 17 of his passes and in doing so being the only player on the pitch to not give the ball away.

After the break, which Arsenal went into level thanks to Gabriel Jesus, Nwaneri had a hand in both of the goals. It was his corner that Mikel Merino eventually smashed home to make it 2-1. It was his cross that Gabriel Martinelli benefitted from as he put the game to bed minutes later.

This was far from the complete performance from Nwaneri, who still looks a little raw, but the positives definitely outweighed any negatives.

Defensively he could at times be caught high up the pitch, which might be a concern for Saturday’s trip to Brighton given Jurrien Timber is suspended and Thomas Partey may have to fill in at right-back.

On the ball, though, Nwaneri looked a threat and this is the best audition so far from players trying to convince Arteta they can cover Saka for the next few months.

Arteta believes Arsenal will be “different” without their talismanic winger, but Nwaneri gives them the chance to be as close as possible to the team they usually are.

The teenager is the only real left-footed option Arteta has to play out on the right, unless he wants to move Kai Havertz there.

Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Martinelli are all right footers and such a setup is very different to how Arsenal usually operate.

The answer to replacing Saka may still lie in the January transfer window, which is now open, but in the interim it is fair to say Nwaneri has given Arteta plenty to think about - starting with Saturday’s trip to Brighton.