Odegaard: We don’t look at Nwaneri as an emerging talent, we just see him as a great player’
Arsenal captain, Martin Odegaard says Ethan Nwaneri has the world at his feet and reveals the 17-year-old has become an integral part of the team.
Nwaneri made his senior debt for Arsenal with a cameo appearance in the Gunners’ 3-0 Premier League win at Brentford in September 2022 and has gone on to feature 22 more times across all competitions, scoring six times.
All the goals have come in 21 appearances he has made this season including his first ever UEFA Champions League goal last Wednesday at Girona, Spain.
Nwaneri is expected to feature for Arsenal in Sunday’s Premier League game against Manchester City at the Emirates and Odegaard, in his pre-match comments in the match programme hailed the progress Nwaneri has made.
‘It was a really good night for Ethan, he had another great performance. I’ve said before that we don’t look at him as an emerging talent, we just see him as a great player. That says it all really for someone who’s 17. He’s just a natural part of our squad and the team, and you can see the talent he brings. It was another great goal from him, we’re all really pleased for him.
‘Everyone can see what he can do with the ball, his touch and technique, but he’s also really physical. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s strong, so powerful and can run with the ball. He takes on players and has the power in his body to beat them. Then there’s his finishing – he has a great strike with his left foot,’ said Odegaard.
