Arsene Wenger has praised Arsenal’s rising star, Ethan Nwaneri, for his exceptional talent, comparing the 17-year-old to a young Cesc Fabregas in terms of mental toughness.
Nwaneri, along with fellow Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, has quickly made a name for himself in Arsenal’s first team under Mikel Arteta.
Their rapid development has even led to speculation about potential call-ups to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
Nwaneri took center stage last weekend following Kai Havertz’s injury, stepping into an attack alongside Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling in a key victory over Leicester.
Despite the Gunners’ 2-0 win, it was Nwaneri’s performance that earned him the man-of-the-match award, as he dominated the game from start to finish.
Wenger, who is closely following Nwaneri’s progression, has been impressed by his maturity and playing style. The former Arsenal manager sees striking similarities between the teenager and Fabregas, especially in terms of his dribbling and ability to deliver the final pass.
He also noted Nwaneri’s strong mental resilience, something that Fabregas displayed at a young age. Wenger believes that the true mark of a special talent is their readiness to shine early on, and Nwaneri seems to fit that bill.
Meanwhile, Joe Cole, speaking on TNT Sports, has even likened Nwaneri’s style to that of Lionel Messi, noting his impressive footwork and confidence on the ball.
While Cole was careful not to place too much pressure on the young player, he couldn’t help but marvel at Nwaneri’s vision and technical skill, particularly in tight spaces.
The comparison to Messi highlights just how highly the teenager is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in world football today.