Ethan Nwaneri: Matured Arsenal starlet ready to rival Martin Odegaard for midfield minutes | OneFootball

The sky is the limit after the 18-year-old agreed a new long-term deal

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

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There was plenty of excitement around Arsenal’s opening pre-season game on Wednesday.

There were also debuts for a pair of 15-year-olds in Marli Salmon and Max Dowman, who both came on with just under 30 minutes to go.

Mikel Arteta, however, stressed how he was pleased with the performance of Ethan Nwaneri - one of Arsenal’s best players before he came off at half-time.

“Ethan has been training really hard,” said Arteta. “Right away after a few holidays, those kids, they come back from the summer, and they look different already, they look more mature, they have a better presence.

“They only had a couple of training sessions with us, so for him (Nwaneri) just to be able to play 45 minutes in that interval, is a really positive thing.”

Solid: Nwaneri impressed in Arsenal’s first pre-season outing

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Nwaneri was delayed linking up with Arsenal for pre-season after helping England win the European Under-21 Championship.

That was also one of the factors in contract talks with the club dragging on, but those are now resolved.

Nwaneri has agreed a new deal with the club and he is understood to be excited about continuing his development under Arteta.

The 18-year-old enjoyed a brilliant breakout campaign last season, finishing it with nine goals in all competitions.

He spent the campaign playing as a No8 and also off the right flank for a period, covering for Saka when the winger injured his hamstring in December.

The teenager did well in both roles, but going forward, there appears to be a desire to define his long-term position in the team.

It felt telling in that sense, that Nwaneri started as a No8 in Arsenal’s opening game of pre-season against AC Milan.

Pals: Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly came through Arsenal’s youth ranks together

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Playing in the position Martin Odegaard usually does, he did well and was one of the sharpest players on the pitch - despite his limited training time.

Nwaneri went close with a shot from just outside the box, while he also showed great skill to skip past a few defenders when seemingly cornered on the right touchline.

The flashes of brilliance were a positive sign and, perhaps, a glimpse into what this season could hold for the youngster.

Arsenal need competition and cover for Odegaard - whose form dipped last season - and Nwaneri looks as if he will get the chance to be just that.

The teenager has always favoured a central role, having played there throughout his time in Arsenal’s academy.

He can operate out wide, as he did last season, but the belief is he’s at his most dangerous close to goal. That is partly why Arteta believes Nwaneri could one day end up playing as a No9.

There is certainly no harm in the teenager playing different positions as he develops, and he may end on the wing again - but having a settled position could help him.

That has certainly been the case for Nwaneri’s best friend, Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has blossomed at left-back.

Nwaneri should prove to be useful option for Arsenal as a No8, not least because it will ease some of the burden on Odegaard.

The 18-year-old is also a different type of player to Odegaard, with his game more based around taking people on and getting shots off.

Odegaard is more of a passer and, against teams that sit deep, being able to mix it up with what Nwaneri offers may give Arsenal a point of difference.

Arsenal needed more off their bench last season, especially towards the end of the campaign, and Nwaneri has the potential to a gamechanger this year.

With a full year of senior football under his belt, he’s fitter, stronger - and has a point to prove.