Theo Walcott has made a complete U-turn on his stance regarding Arsenal’s young talent, Ethan Nwaneri, after seeing the teenager’s rapid rise at the club this season.
Nwaneri, 17, has quickly established himself in Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad, showcasing his potential and maturity despite his age.
The Hale End academy graduate made history earlier this season, becoming the youngest Arsenal player since Cesc Fabregas to score a Premier League goal.
His impressive form continued as he travelled with the squad to Portugal for Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League clash against Sporting CP.
Walcott, who initially cautioned Arteta about playing Nwaneri too often, now regrets not giving the young midfielder more opportunities, especially during Martin Ødegaard’s absence due to injury.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Walcott admitted, “I just wanted to see a little bit more of him [Nwaneri] while Ødegaard was out because he is different, and Arsenal needed different.”
Arsenal struggled in Ødegaard’s absence, lacking his creativity, and Walcott believes Nwaneri could have been the spark the team was missing during that period.
While many Arsenal fans are eager to see Nwaneri get more playing time, Arteta has remained cautious about the young player’s development. The manager has emphasized the importance of a patient approach, ensuring Nwaneri is not overburdened with responsibility too soon.
Despite this, Nwaneri could feature in the starting lineup for Arsenal’s Champions League match against Sporting CP, with Ødegaard still regaining full fitness and the Gunners already qualified for the next stage of the competition.
Nwaneri’s recent performances suggest he is ready for more high-level opportunities, and fans will be excited to see how he fares on the continental stage.
