Mikel Arteta admits Ethan Nwaneri has surprised Arsenal as he challenges teenager to take next step | OneFootball

Ethan Nwaneri has stepped up as a key attacking threat for Arsenal in the absence of Bukayo Saka

Surprised: Mikel Arteta was not expected Ethan Nwaneri to develop so quickly

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Mikel Arteta says Ethan Nwaneri is developing faster than Arsenal expected and they want to give him the freedom to express himself on the pitch.

The 17-year-old was the star of the show last week and picked up the man of the match award as Arsenal beat Leicester 2-0.

Arteta has been impressed by the midfielder’s development and believes the way to get the best out of the teenager is by giving him the licence to express himself.

“I think what is surprising is probably the confidence and his decision-making, especially in ball possession.

“The risks that he takes, the initiative that he takes and how clever he is about ‘ok, what is the situation? If somebody is more open’. I love that in a player and now he needs to do it consistently, every three days.

Ethan Nwaneri has scored seven goals for Arsenal this season

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Asked about giving Nwaneri freedom on the pitch, Arteta said: “For sure. Especially a player with that talent.

“Get him very, very far from thinking mode, let him express himself. Put him in the environment, put him in the context that he can exploit his qualities as often as he possibly can, surrounded by players that fit his qualities.

“There are certain duties in a collective sport that you have to be able to do, and do with the right timing as well. Because that is essential, especially in football.

“But then they have the freedom to express their creativity within certain spaces, with certain connections that are developed within the team. That are thought and agreed to improve a player’s qualities.”

Nwaneri is expected to keep his place on the right wing when Arsenal host West Ham on Saturday, but Arteta faces a dilemma as to who he starts as the team’s striker.

Mikel Merino excelled off the bench last week as an emergency No9 and scored twice against Leicester, making him a candidate.

“He’s a massive goal threat from positions that he can attack and arrive in the box,” said Arteta.

“The timing, he smells danger and how he can execute with many parts of his body as well.

“And the fact that he is very experienced and intelligent - if somebody was going to adapt to a new position then it would be him. It can be him, it can be Leo (Leandro Trossard) or it can be Raz (Raheem Sterling) and we have Nathan [Butler-Oyedeji] as well that can play there. We have other options.”