You would think that certain Gooners would have seen our last two away performances and been humbled.
That it seems foolish to look at our current squad and have suggested they could go unbeaten, that Havertz would outscore Haaland, that Mbappe was not suitable for our team, but Nketiah was.
Yet, with the weekend not even finished, already there was a debate on Ethan Nwaneri.
A section of our fan base believes he should have started on Saturday, while others are demanding that now he the case going forward.
In the summer I was told the 17-year-old was more skillful than Lamine Yamal and this week read that he will surpass Phil Foden’s achievements.
Unless you’re a supporter who routinely watches our academy play this only exists in your imagination. A theory that lives purely because fans want it to be true.
Never before have I heard a talent so hyped up having done so little. When I say little, I mean not starting in a league fixture at senior level.
If that’s the answer, we should worry what the question is, because Champions don’t rely on teenagers who haven’t started a Prem game.
Don’t get me wrong, the young midfielder could be the future for both club and country, but why not wait and see what is produced before we put too much pressure on the youngster. Yet if he’s having silly comparisons being made based on 2 Carabao Cup starts I hate to think what would happen if he were to score in the Premiership or Champions League.
While it’s meant in good faith it can’t help a player’s development. While Arteta will hope the player is surrounded by a decent network, it’s harder to keep a young man grounded if the expectation is unrealistic.
In recent substitute appearances his performances have been praised simply because of the badge on his shirt. His analysis borders on patronizing. His passing the ball is celebrated when that should be a standard requirement for a professional footballer.
To be a big club you act like a big club. Give the kid some time and space to breathe.
Dan
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I can understand the excitement of fans when it comes to academy players, but he’s being well overhyped.
He looks far off a Cesc at the same age, and has only looked good against poor opposition thus far. Looked a little out of his depth against Newcastle as well. Needs a lot more first team action, and against quality for us to really start seeing this potential.
I think there’s a degree of over-hype with him, but I guess as Arsenal’s run of poor games lengthens, so the calls for Nwaneri to be given a bigger role as bound to increase.
Personally, I would like to see him get more game-time to see what he can actually do rather than fairly brief snapshots of him. It should still be carefully managed, of course.
Nwaneri has a lot of potential certainly, but he’s not in the same league as say, Yamal at Barcelona who while only an incredible three months older is currently on his way to becoming a superstar over the next few years.
* are bound
The pressure should be on the gaffer and not the kid, it’s the gaffer poor man management of the kid resulting in his baptism now in the deep end.
Had Nwaneri started against Southampton and Boumeounth, or had been more heavily involved against those two in the absence of Odegaard, it could have done the young Englishman a world of good.
Maybe Arsenal needs to loan Nwaneri to Marseille, where they trust kids more.
He’s very good. I expect him to embrace the pressure of taking the next step.
Quite laughable if you expect anyone but Ethan Nwaneri to take up Ødegaard’s position at this point.
He is the ONLY one to play that role at the moment. Simple. That is his position. Not to be tried at left back to see if he can fit. He might do well as a right winger but that position is unavailable at the moment.