Theo Walcott has hinted that Mikel Arteta may have been overly cautious in managing Arsenal’s rising star, Ethan Nwaneri.
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The 17-year-old scored his first Premier League goal during Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest, further fueling excitement about his future.
However, Walcott believes Nwaneri deserved more chances, especially in Martin Odegaard’s absence earlier this season.
Arteta Advocates Patience in Nwaneri’s Development
Mikel Arteta remains measured in his approach, emphasizing the need to build Nwaneri’s career “brick by brick.” The Arsenal manager highlighted the teenager’s impressive performance, explaining his strategy of steady growth to avoid overloading the young star.
Arteta said, “I understand that I am responsible for him, and you have to do that step by step. Today he put in another brick, and we must ensure it sticks properly before adding more.”
Despite Nwaneri’s evident talent, Arteta insists on managing expectations and protecting the player from external pressures, highlighting the importance of family, agents, and mentors in guiding his career.
Walcott Calls for More Opportunities
Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, speaking on Sky Sports, praised Nwaneri’s ability and compared his own early experiences to the teenager’s. Walcott expressed his desire to see Nwaneri utilized more during Odegaard’s 12-game injury absence.
“He’s had more exposure at a high level than I did at his age. That’s why I wanted to see more of him when Odegaard was out,” Walcott said. “He’s different, and Arsenal needed something different during that tough period without Odegaard.”
As excitement around Nwaneri grows, the balance between nurturing his talent and meeting fan expectations remains a challenge for Arteta and the club.
