Arsenal prodigy reveals help and support he gets from Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka | OneFootball

Arsenal talent Ethan Nwaneri has named Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka as the two senior players who have most helped him settle into the Gunners first-team this season.

Nwaneri made history in September 2022 when he made his senior debut aged just 15 years and 181 days, becoming Arsenal's youngest ever player, as well as the English top flight's youngest too.

He was so young that Nwaneri didn't sign his first professional contract until March of this year, but has now become a permanent member of Mikel Arteta's first-team squad. So far in 2024/25, it’s been 16 appearances and counting for the 17-year-old – including three starts and four goals.

Asked by Arsenal.com which first-team stars have helped ease the transition into senior football, Nwaneri said, "there's loads," but went on to elaborate on just two.

Nwaneri has made 16 appearances so far this season / Visionhaus/GettyImages

"Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka have both been great for me, and not just me but all the young players," he explained.

"They help us with everything, and somebody like Bukayo has had that journey already. That's really important – he knows what we are going through, he can help me, offer me insights on what can help me. He's so good to talk to because he's so chilled and humble, but also I try to watch him as much as I can and learn that way.

"Martin as well, he was playing when he was 15 too, so to have that experience with me in the dressing room is great."

Saka joined Arsenal when he was seven-years-old and made his first-team debut in late 2018, a few weeks after turning 17. The winger was a regular by 18 and has already hit 250 games. Odegaard was even more of a teen prodigy, training with the first-team at Stromsgodset in Norway from the age of 13 and making his debut at 15. A month after turning 16, he joined Real Madrid, having had every leading club across Europe on his tail in a very public transfer pursuit.