Mikel Arteta running out of reasons not to start Arsenal's next Cesc Fabregas

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is finding it increasingly hard to hold back young sensation Ethan Nwaneri from the Premier League spotlight. The 17-year-old prodigy etched his name into Arsenal's history books as their second-youngest goalscorer in the top flight with a goal against Nottingham Forest, following in the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas who had a glittering career with the Gunners and elsewhere.

Despite making a record-breaking appearance at just 15 years and 181 days old against Brentford in September 2022, Nwaneri has yet to start a Premier League game, with only seven league appearances since his debut. Arteta acknowledges the temptation to play him more often, saying: "I am always tempted. I think he’s the second-youngest player for the club to score in the Premier League."

He emphasises a cautious approach, adding: "It’s step-by-step, I would say."

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Arteta also spoke about managing expectations around Nwaneri, who doesn't turn 18 until March, stating: "Something I cannot do myself is manage expectations. I will try to educate him, raise him and give him the pathway that we believe is the best."

Arteta has urged Bukayo Saka to stay grounded amidst the growing hype before, saying: "His family, his agent, his friends, they will be very important as well. Don’t listen too much to the noise, focus on what he does which is to play football and he loves every minute of it and good things will happen to him for sure."

Saka was instrumental in Arsenal's latest win, scoring the first goal and setting up Thomas Partey for another, while young Nwaneri made history, assisted by Raheem Sterling, to notch his first Premier League goal. The win could be a catalyst for Arsenal's title aspirations after a recent dip in form.