"He just makes me smile" - Karen Carney impressed by 'brave' Arsenal star who was 'outstanding' in win over Brentford

In a thrilling display of resilience and youthful talent, Arsenal secured a 3-1 victory over Brentford on Wednesday, narrowing the gap to league leaders Liverpool. The match underscored the Gunners’ strength in depth and marked a defining moment for Ethan Nwaneri, the 17-year-old who stepped up to fill the void left by the injured Bukayo Saka.

Nwaneri, making his first Premier League start, was deployed on the right wing at the stadium where he etched his name in history books by becoming the league’s youngest-ever debutant at just 15.

Two years on, the Hale End graduate once again showcased why he is regarded as one of Arsenal’s brightest prospects.

His performance caught the eye of fans and pundits alike, with TNT Sports analyst Karen Carney leading the chorus of praise.

"He just makes me smile. He's brave, he's bold. For a young man, I thought he was outstanding. He was positive and he's just a joy to watch. I can't believe how young he is. He will be an absolute player for Arsenal."

Nwaneri’s fearless approach and technical prowess were evident throughout the game.

He created two goal-scoring chances, completed an impressive 92% of his passes, and brought an infectious energy to the Gunners' attack.

Mikel Arteta’s side needed that spark after an early setback when Bryan Mbeumo fired Brentford into the lead in the 13th minute.

But the Gunners responded emphatically, with goals from Gabriel Jesus (29'), Mikel Merino (50'), and Gabriel Martinelli (53') turning the tide in their favor.

The result extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run against London rivals and solidified their position as Liverpool’s closest challengers.

Nwaneri’s performance drew applause from Martin Keown, who highlighted the club’s continued success in nurturing homegrown talent.

"There's a whole lot more to come. He's definitely going to get those chances with Saka not being available. He's been using him regularly with Odegaard, bringing him off in games"

The teenager’s meteoric rise comes at a crucial time for the Gunners. With Bukayo Saka sidelined following hamstring surgery, questions have swirled about whether Arsenal might enter the transfer market to bolster their options.

However, Wednesday’s match offered a compelling argument for looking within.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta echoed a similar sentiment regarding Nwaneri

Arteta said the Gunners could hire any player to fill the void left by Saka, but Nwaneri would more or less feature for the Gunners.

He was asked about the youngster's performance following his side's 3-1 win over The Bees.

"In training, he gives us all the right reasons [to play him]. We could’ve signed a player from any country, but he would be playing."

He further said that Nwaneri deserves to play because he has earned his spot on the team. The Gunners now sit in second spot on the Premier League table and are six points behind runaway leaders Liverpool. The Reds also have an additional game in hand.