Everything you need to know about Arsenal record-breaker Ethan Nwaneri

Granit Xhaka is a big fan

Nwaneri is a playmaker who has quickly developed a penchant for scoring goals. He boasts quick feet, a useful turn of pace, 20/20 vision, and an eye for the final pass. Comparisons have been drawn with Under-18s coach Jack Wilshere, but Nwaneri is certainly more forward-thinking than the starlet of yesteryear.

The 15-year-old’s talent is off the charts, and he didn’t take too long to endear himself to Arsenal leader Granit Xhaka, who has been coaching the Under-16s as part of his coaching badges.

“You can see a big difference with him [Nwaneri] and the other guys,” Xhaka told CBS Sports.

“He is very, very special. Of course, you have to protect him as he is very young, but if he keeps going like this with his hard work he has a big, big future.”

The Swiss midfielder said Nwaneri hasn’t trained too much with the first team and he described the teenager as being “very shy”.

“You have to protect him and help him,” Xhaka added. “Football is not everything for him and for us, but yes, the club will help him and the experienced players have to help him.”

Nwaneri certainly has an admirer in Xhaka, and the record-breaker is clearly held in high regard at Arsenal. However, for us fans, we must not place lofty expectations on the 15-year-old and let him develop at his own pace.