Future Arsenal ‘superstar’ urged to shun voices urging him to ‘get away’ by ex-Gunner

Former Arsenal man Paul Merson feels Ethan Nwaneri will have people “in his ear” telling him to “get away” but feels he should shun those voices, as he’ll get “looked after” at the Emirates.

As a 15-year-old, Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history, debuting in 2022. Sometimes, those moments can be a flash in the pan, but Nwaneri, now 17, is starting to show that’s not the case.

He bagged a brace in the League Cup third round against Bolton, and scored in the next round against Preston.

In the Gunners’ last game, against Premier League high-flyers Nottingham Forest, Nwaneri capped off a 3-0 win with his first league goal.

Former Arsenal man Merson feels he is at the right club, and should not listen to those who think otherwise.

“I think so. I think Arsenal’s a very good club. You’re going to get looked after. It depends who’s looking after him because people are going to get in his ear aren’t they? ‘Oh, get away you need to play,'” Merson said on Sky Sports.

“He’s at a great club. Don’t leave there too early. For me, be patient. He’s 17 years of age, he’s behind top players, he’ll keep on learning and learning. 

“As soon you get noises [from] people around you going, ‘You should be playing every week’, and this and that, well, where are you going to go and play every week? At the moment I think he’s at the right place.”

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Nwaneri will be an Arsenal superstar

Merson added that he feels Nwaneri can become a superstar if he keeps doing what he’s doing.

“But he’ll be a superstar. He is a top player, every time he comes on he does something special in the game, and today he scores another good goal. A real, real talent,” Merson said.

“Just got to make sure he keeps his head and his chance will come. Take your time, you’re 17, you’re at a massive club in Arsenal.”

Bukayo Saka is perhaps the latest and biggest scale success story of an Arsenal academy player becoming a superstar, and playing in the same side as him will do no harm at all to Nwaneri.

Arsenal round-up: Real Madrid move possible

Arsenal could move for Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler, with Los Blancos said to be willing to let him leave on loan.

Another potential midfield move at Arsenal is regarding AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, who it’s believed will be the subject of ‘astronomical offers’, with the Gunners willing to pay big for him.

Mikel Arteta’s side are also said to be the frontrunners to land Malaga youngster Antonio Cordero, who has been likened to Lamine Yamal.

Meanwhile, Gunners star Martin Odegaard has been named the most important player in the Premier League.

Premier League’s youngest scorers

Nwaneri is in some esteemed company when it comes to the Premier League’s youngest-ever scorers, with some names on the list having gone on to huge things in their careers.

The 17-year-old and Arsenal will hope he is able to have a similar impact to some of them.

1. James Vaughan, Everton (16 years, 270 days)
2. James Milner, Leeds (16 years, 356 days)
3. Wayne Rooney, Everton (16 years, 360 days)
4. Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal (17 years, 113 days)
5. Michael Owen, Liverpool (17 years, 143 days)
6. Andy Turner, Tottenham (17 years, 166 days)
7. Federico Macheda, Manchester United (17 years, 226 days)
8. Lewis Miley, Newcastle (17 years, 229 days)
9. Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal (17 years, 247 days)
10. Daniel Jebbison, Sheffield United (17 years, 309 days)