Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insisted Ethan Nwaneri was handed his full Premier League debut in Wednesday's win over Brentford on merit and not as a result of the illness that has gripped the Gunners squad.
“It's fantastic to see him playing with that courage and determination. He played in that position not because of the mistake. It was a decision I made because I thought he was the best player to start the game,” Arteta. is explained.
But there was another factor that came into play as well naming the 17-year-old in the lineup.
Nwaneri made history in September 2022 when he came off the bench in a match against Brentford to become the youngest player in Arsenal and history of English top lines, 15 years and 181 days.
Therefore, giving the youngster his first league start against the same opposition at the same stadium was something Arteta felt was a natural fit.
“It was a story with his debut here and then making it (full) Premier League debut. Sometimes that feeling comes and you think it's right,” said the manager.
“Part of this development is patience, managing disappointment and expectation, because you expect everything to go as quickly as the previous things, but it's not. So now we're building it, he's already played a lot of games and he he deserves it.”
Nwaneri could end up getting an extended run in Arsenal's squad while Bukayo Saka is sidelined with injury until at least early March. After the trip to Brighton, the Gunners quickly face Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final before hosting Manchester United in the FA Cup third round three days before the north London derby.
There are two more Champions League games to be played before the end of January, a month which will see Arsenal take to the pitch nine times.