Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has tipped Ethan Nwaneri to become a future Arsenal star. The teenager is heavily tipped to start this weekend’s North London Derby.
Fabregas made his Arsenal first team debut in 2003 at just 16 years old. He went on to star for the Gunners and became one of the youngest captains in their history at age 21.
Ethan Nwaneri debuted at age 15 in 2022, becoming the youngest Arsenal debutant in history. The midfielder is highly rated by the club. Nwaneri has over 30 caps for England at youth level; from U16 to U19 and is touted as one of the best prospects in the country.
Ethan Nwaneri to deputise for Odegaard?
With Arsenal midfielder and captain Martin Odegaard injured on international duty, there are limited options in the squad. With the departures of Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira, Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri are currently the midfield depth in the team.
Odegaard was spotted in crutches after Norway’s Nations League game after an ankle injury saw him substituted. James Benge says the injury could see the Arsenal captain miss up to four weeks of football:
“We’re talking three weeks at a minimum, talking to people that know. I mean, they were pretty confident that there wasn’t a break or anything like that.
“But even they were talking about something that could stretch beyond four weeks. Once you get to that four-week mark, you’re into the next international break, and the difference between a four-week and a five-and-a-half-week absence isn’t necessarily huge.
“It’s such a testing time with that PSG game on 1 October. At the three-week mark, he’s probably going to miss the PSG game as well. Even if he’s able to play, it’ll be limited.”
Cesc Fabregas backs teen midfielder to be a star
As a former Arsenal player who debuted as a teenager, Fabregas knows the situation with Ethan Nwaneri now. He says the midfielder is ready for first team action:
“I have no doubt, that if Mikel [Arteta] puts him in the starting 11, or even on during the game, it’s because he’s seen that he’s good enough to make an impact.
“He’s on his [Arteta’s] mind and if he’s part of the squad it’s because he really believes that he can bring something to the table.”
Declan Rice will also miss out this weekend through suspension. The midfielder saw two yellow cards against Brighton. Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri seem to be the only available midfield options for Mikel Arteta this weekend.
