Mikel Arteta hails Ethan Nwaneri’s performance after 17-year-old filled in for Bukayo Saka against Brentford – and hints youngster could save Arsenal millions in the transfer market

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta raised a toast to Ethan Nwaneri after the 17-year-old stepped in for the injured Bukayo Saka against Brentford. 

The talented teenager made his full Premier League debut in the 3-1 win at the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday night. 

He didn’t look out of place, either, as he was confident on the ball and his corner led to Arsenal’s second goal via Mikel Merino. 

With Saka out until at least March following hamstring surgery, there has been speculation that the Gunners might dip into the transfer market for a right winger to sustain their Premier League title charge. 

But Arteta was wholly satisfied with his academy graduate’s performance.

‘Really good (he played),’ Arteta told Sky Sports. In training he gave us all the right reasons. 

Nwaneri, 17, put in a fearless performance against Brentford, with Bukayo Saka out injured

Arteta said Nwaneri played ‘really good’ and said he would feature even if they signed somebody else at right-wing

‘We could sign a player from any country (but) he would be playing. He’s an academy player and he needs to play because he deserves it.’

He later added: ‘Part of that development is patience, managing frustration, managing expectation because you expect that everything is going to go so fast as the previous things happens and it’s not the case. 

‘So now we’re building him, he’s already played a lot of games, a lot of minutes for us, the age that he’s got and he fully deserves that.’

Nwaneri has become a fixture in the Arsenal team this season but, until Wednesday night, had to be satisfied with cameos off the bench. 

Brentford holds fond memories for Nwaneri, who came off the bench at the Gtech in September 2022 to become the youngest-ever Premier League player aged 15 years and 181 days.  

Last season Arsenal only handed him one other opportunity to shine but he has come into his own this campaign and is proving another gem of the Hale End academy. 

He has proven his goal-scoring potential in the Carabao Cup, striking twice against Bolton in the third round and scoring a top-corner stunner in the next stage at Preston. 

Sky Sports pundit Karen Carney was effusive in her praise for Nwaneri after watching him shine against Thomas Frank’s side. 

Nwaneri is gaining regular minutes this season and struck twice against Preston in October

‘He’s brave, he’s bold, for someone so young, he jinks and drops a shoulder. Go and do what you want, be brave, be positive, take people on,’ she said. 

‘He was key in the corner. For a young man he was outstanding, positive, a joy to watch, and I can’t believe how young he is.’