Harry Redknapp has told Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta he has an ‘incredible player on his hands’ in teenage star Ethan Nwaneri. Nwaneri is enjoying a breakout season at the Emirates Stadium, making 18 appearances in all competitions. The 17-year-old became the youngest footballer to ever play in the Premier League in September 2022 when he came on as a substitute at the age of 15.
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Despite that sensationally early introduction, Nwaneri only made one first-team appearance last season before being integrated into the Arsenal squad properly in the second-half of last year. Nwaneri scored a brace – his first goals in professional football – in the League Cup thrashing over Bolton Wanderers back in September and netted his first Premier League goal in November against high-flying Nottingham Forest.
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The England U19 midfielder scored again in Saturday’s draw with Brighton – becoming the first player to score more than one goal in the Premier League for Arsenal before their 18th birthday – but then had to be subbed off at half-time due to an injury.
‘Speaking of a classy player, young Ethan Nwaneri at Arsenal looks a serious, serious talent,’ Redknapp told BetVictor. ‘To be playing for Arsenal and to be trusted by Mikel Arteta at such a young age says a lot and you can see why. ‘He’s got a lovely left foot and is so composed on the ball; nothing seems to faze him and he’s filling in for Bukayo Saka on that right hand side very well.
