“I just love it”: Arteta praises Nwaneri after Leicester win | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Ethan Nwaneri’s courage after the 17-year-old helped to inspire Arsenal to a late win over Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal takes on Victor Kristiansen of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

With five minutes of normal time remaining in Arsenal’s clash with Leicester City on Saturday, the Gunners were still level at 2-2.

Having had a two-goal lead earlier in the game, Arsenal saw that lead pegged back, and they were slipping towards two dropped points for the second week in a row.

Mikel Arteta then introduced 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri from the bench, in what was perhaps his biggest show of faith in the youngster so far.

Arteta had given Nwaneri a start earlier in the week, but in a totally different scenario. That was a League Cup game against lower-league Bolton Wanderers, this was a Premier League match with Arsenal desperately in need of a winner.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Nwaneri’s impact was instant. In his first possession, the midfielder spun away from one or two challenges and fired a shot at goal, forcing a fingertips save from inspired Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen.

It gave the crowd and the team the lift they needed, and Arsenal went on to score two goals in injury time to win the game. Arteta was certainly pleased afterwards.

“You don’t feel sorry for yourself, you take ownership, you start taking more risks, everybody,” Arteta said.

“Nwaneri, 17-years-old – he takes the ball, the first one is an action like this, he runs past two, three players and wants to take a shot. I just love it, you want to play here, you want to be at that level you need to play with that courage.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Though Nwaneri wasn’t directly involved in the goals, with Wilfred Ndidi turning a Leandro Trossard shot into his own net before Kai Havertz finished a counter-attack for 4-2, his impact on the game was clear.

The youngster has certainly done no harm to his chances of playing further minutes over the next week, with Martin Odegaard still out injured.