Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has hailed attacking midfielder, Ethan Nwaneri, saying, he is very “good right now”.
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| Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta. Photo: Getty Images |
Arteta’s statement is coming ahead of the top flight encounter against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.
Arsenal will travel to St. James’ Park to lock horns with Newcastle United in the Premier League 2024/25 match on Saturday 2 November, 2024 at 13:30 (WAT).
The Spanish manager said, 17-year old Nwaneri needs to be “pushed and protected”.
According to arsenal.com, at his press conference ahead of the match against the Magpies, Gunners manager, Arteta, said:
On if there is concern about the gap at the top of the table:
“You want to be first, you want to win every game. We know the situations that we have to play with this season, but we’re right in the mix. We know the tough challenge that we’re going to face tomorrow, but we’re fully ready for that.”
On last season’s trip to St. James’ Park and his comments afterwards:
“It’s part of the past and part of the situation that happened. You learn from it, you take a lot of positives as well and we’ve moved on.”
On Newcastle’s start to the season:
“The league position after nine games is very tricky when you see the fixtures that they’ve had as well and certain situations that they’ve been through as well, but they’re a fantastic team. They’re really well coached, they’re very intense. It’s a great stadium to play in, you know what you’re going to face there, so we’re looking forward to it.”
On Ethan Nwaneri’s potential:
“I can talk about how good he is right now. At 17 years old, to be in a position like he is in at one of the biggest clubs in Europe, I think sums up really well the level that he has. What is going to happen in the future is mainly is going to depend on him and how much he wants it. At the moment he wants it a lot and he’s surrounded by the right people and then you will need a crystal ball to see where he is going to be in a year, two years, three years. My prediction is going to be very positive.”
On whether Mikel has to protect Ethan:
“I think the biggest thing is to push him, and then when he is being pushed, you always grab him right behind to make sure that he’s always stable and protected. But with this talent, you have to push him. The protection is necessary to keep an eye on him and be at the right distance, but he needs to see that he can fly and don’t clip any wings.”
