Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown has said the future of Arsenal is safe in the hands of Mikel Arteta. The Gunners boss started four recent academy graduates in their EFL cup win over Bolton.
Josh Nichols, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jack Porter and Ethan Nwaneri started in the 5-1 win over Bolton Wanderers. Nwaneri ended up scoring a brace on the night, with Mikel Arteta being very pleased with the performance:
“He’s improving daily,”
“They really respect him. You can tell he’s playing without pressure, with confidence, with a way of making decisions that tells you that the boy is ready at this level. Today he had a really strong performance and I’m happy to see that.”
Mikel Arteta is the right coach for Ethan Nwaneri
Michael Brown said that playing in competitions like the EFL cup helps youngsters like Nwaneri develop. And he praised Mikel Arteta for slowly integrating him into the first team:
“This will do him really good. We talked about having the experience around him, being able to play with Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice and others. He is going to learn so much and he has contributed in the game.
“He’s an unbelievably exciting talent and I think of all the coaches who want to bring on and develop young players, Mikel Arteta is the right person for him.
“A wonderful night for him and his family.”
Arsenal boss is the one to lead the youngsters
16-year old Jack Porter also made his first ever start in Wednesday night’s win. The Arsenal U18 goalkeeper got his first taste of competitive first team football this week.
Mikel Arteta revealed that Porter only knew he was going to start the game a day before. The Spaniard also said he trusted that Porter would be a good option to deputise for the injured David Raya.
Former West Ham defender Matthew Upson has give huge credit to Arteta for trusting a 16-year old in goal for a first team match:
“A 16-year-old goalkeeper in senior men’s football doesn’t exist – you don’t ever see it.
“I like how Arteta spoke about how it was a big deal for his family but you can imagine the emotion running through him, the nervousness, because there is nothing like that goalkeeping position.
“The pressure is huge and it’s all about not making a mistake. You have to really be on your game, the focus and decision-making have to be right and that’s why [goalkeepers] mature so much later.
“Huge credit to him.”
