The Hale End academy is a cheat code for Arsenal.
By Sam McGuire
When they needed something special at the start of Mikel Arteta‘s reign at the Emirates, they had Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. This season, when the Basque-born tactician has had to navigate his way through an unprecedented injury crisis, he’s had Hale End graduates in Myles Lewis-Skelley and Ethan Nwaneri.
The former has been a revelation at full-back, jumping ahead of a number of senior options on the left flank to make that position his own during the title run-in. He caught the eye in the recent 5-1 demolition of Manchester City.
Nwaneri has been a bit more of a slow burner. Why? Well, because of his age. The 17-year-old has had to be carefully managed by Arteta and his coaching staff. There comes a point though, where age no longer matters. If you’re good enough, you are old enough.
The Arsenal boss said as much over the weekend after the versatile attacker stole the show in the 2-0 win over Leicester City.
Speaking afterwards, Arteta said: “Well, what he’s showing basically, that’s him. Obviously, his age is always something that puts a question mark on how we have to deal with him. But every sign that he’s given us is ‘Let me go for it, let me go, let me go, let me go.’ When a player is giving you all those signs, you should not stop it.
“You have to play with that freedom, with that creativity, with that confidence that he’s playing at the minute, and the players around him believe in him. So let him go because he’s a massive threat, massive talent and he deserves to play.”
The No. 53 has been thrust into the starting XI following injuries to four Arsenal attackers. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are all ruled out, though Saka is expected to be back in early March.
In the meantime, though, Nwaneri is sharing the burden of carrying Arsenal’s title hopes.
He did just that against the Foxes on Saturday afternoon.
The 17-year-old claimed a place in the FotMob Team of the Week after his showing against Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s side. A showing that earned him a FotMob rating of 9.0 at the King Power Stadium.
It was the Nwaneri show, despite Mikel Merino being the hero for the Gunners with two goals. The youngster completed the most dribbles in the match (seven), made the most tackles (three), and won the most duels (13). He assisted the opener, playing a brilliant cross into the box for Merino to nod home. It capped off a fine showing. And one that reiterated the fact that despite his age, he is ready to lead this Arsenal team.
The assist against Leicester was the first of his career in the Premier League. It won’t be his last.
The sample size isn’t the largest but in the English top-flight this term, Nwaneri has an Expected Assists average of 0.24. If he’s on the pitch, he’s going to keep creating.
He’s not as much of a goal threat, with an Expected Goals average of 0.18 on a per 90 basis, but he does have three strikes to his name this season. He found the back of the net against Manchester City, he netted in the draw with Brighton and he scored in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Every game is a big one for Arsenal at the minute, but he does appear to be making his presence felt in big games. After all, Nottingham Forest are in the battle for a top four place this season.
Despite his young age and inexperience, Nwaneri has shown time and time again that he isn’t overawed by an occasion. One stat to epitomise that is the passing accuracy one. Players looking to make a name for themselves often rush things and turn possession over. In his Premier League minutes this term, the fleet-footed right-winger has found a teammate with 90% of his attempted passes. He’s safe in possession. An invaluable trait for a youngster.
There is a fine balance to be struck, though. The more he plays, the greater the weight of expectation.
Yes, chaos is a ladder and Nwaneri is making the most of the opportunities coming his way as a result of the injury crisis at the Emirates. But Arsenal need to protect him from too much exposure. They need to ensure the weight of expectation doesn’t crush him.
Joe Cole alluded to this when on TNT Sports as a pundit for the game over the weekend, even though he prefaced that by comparing him to the best player ever to play the game of football. So, mixed messages.
“You can’t mark him because he can go both ways. These little touches he produces in and around the box, I don’t even want to say it but it’s like Messi. I’ve said it. I’m not trying to put any more pressure on the kid’s shoulders, even though I’m sure he’d deal with it, but the touches he makes as he receives the ball off the back foot, entices the defender and the touch off the top of the toe to put them off balance.
“He plays with such confidence and he’s a beautiful player. Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have to protect him.”
If managed properly, Arsenal might finally have their Saka cover. And it won’t have cost them a single penny.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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