'Difficult to ignore' - National media make same point over Arsenal issue after Preston win

Ethan Nwaneri excelling for Arsenal in the League Cup is leading to calls for manager Mikel Arteta to give the teenager more opportunities in the Premier League and Champions League.

Nwaneri, 17, has scored three goals across his first two starts for the Gunners in their third and fourth round ties against Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End. However, outside of those two matches, the midfielder has made just four late cameos in the league as a substitute.

Despite making the bench for all three European games to start this season, Nwaneri has yet to debut. National media are now taking notice and calling for change from Arteta to involve the England under-19 international more often.

Issan Khan wrote for The Daily Mail: "Nwaneri's talent is no secret, Arsenal fans having long clamoured for Mikel Arteta to give him more game time. By the end of the match, the visiting supporters had broken out into a rendition of, 'Ethan Nwaneri, he's one of our own'.

"Ever since the teenager became the Premier League's youngest player in September 2022 against Brentford, aged 15 years and 181 days, his opportunities in the first team have often felt limited. After last night's display, you feel even Arteta can no longer keep the door half-open on this starlet any longer."

Sky Sports' Laura Hunter said: "Arsenal have long known they have a potential gem on their hands - it is two years since Nwaneri became the Premier League's youngest player at the age of 15 and 181 days - and now his impact on games is becoming difficult to ignore."

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Neil Squires mused in The Telegraph: "With Martin Odegaard sidelined, Arteta may even be tempted to give Nwaneri, a Londoner who joined Arsenal as an eight-year-old, some more Premier League exposure. He certainly gave him food for thought."

Ian Parker, writing for the Press Association, said: "Arsenal have long known they have a potential gem on their hands – it is two years since Nwaneri became the Premier League's youngest player at the age of 15 and 181 days – and the attacking midfielder put in a performance which suggests he is ready to make a bigger contribution."