“Whatever can make him a better player, he’s always looking for” - Mikel Merino hails ‘scary’ Arsenal teammate

Arsenal star Mikel Merino has lavished praise on Ethan Nwaneri after their 3-1 win over Brentford on New Year's Day. He is in awe of the English attacker's talent at just 17 years of age.

Nwaneri became the youngest player to ever debut in a Premier League game after being substituted against Brentford back in 2022 at the age of 15 years and 181 days.

He then earned his official promotion to the senior team last summer ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. Nwaneri was in action again at the Gtech Community Stadium against Brentford this week.

The Arsenal attacker put on an impressive performance, creating two chances in the encounter (via FotMob). His display earned Merino's plaudits, with the Spaniard backing Nwaneri to have a bright future.

Speaking after the match, Merino said (via The Mirror):

“He is an unbelievable player and also a really nice guy, really shy. He’s always keen to learn and try to listen to the more experienced players, the coach. Whatever can make him a better player, he’s always looking for. But it’s not only him, all the young kids who are training with us, maybe not playing, but in the training sessions you can see that the academy is a big thing in this club also."

"They are such good players at such a young age that it is scary sometimes. I remember when I was 17, I was just a little kid, and these guys are playing against some of the best teams in Europe, the Premier League, the Champions League and they don’t care about it. We have to take care of them because they have a bright future ahead of them.”

Arsenal will next face Brighton & Hove Albion away on Saturday (January 4).

"He fully deserves that" - Mikel Arteta heaps praise on Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta showered Ethan Nwaneri with praise after the Brentford win, insisting that the youngster deserved the chance to feature in the starting XI.

Nwaneri made his first Premier League start for the Gunners against Brentford. The Englishman was deployed on the right wing in Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz's absence.

While Saka is set for a few months on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury, Havertz was missing due to illness.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Arteta said (via the Premier League's official website):

"That position wasn’t because of a bug, that was a decision we made because I thought he was the best player to play in the position to start the game and because there was a story there, with his debut here."

"He made his Premier League debut and sometimes that feeling comes in and you feel it’s the right one and who knows. He was really good. In training he gives us all the right reasons [to play]. We could've signed a player from any country, he would be playing."

The Arsenal boss concluded:

"We’re building him, he’s already played a lot of games a lot of minutes for the age that he’s got and he fully deserves that."