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Paul Davis gives Ethan Nwaneri advice after record-breaking Arsenal debut
By Adam Schultz
Young Ethan Nwaneri made headlines worldwide when Mikel Arteta handed him his Premier League debut against Brentford at just 15 years old.
Arsenal had the game in hand against Brentford, and Mikel Arteta decided to make a dream a reality for the teenager, handing him his senior debut. As a result, Nwaneri became the youngest player to ever play in the Premier League.
While we all know the commentary surrounding the decision, which quite frankly is ridiculous, Nwaneri should be proud that the Arsenal boss chose him.
Paul Davis gives Ethan Nwaneri advice after record-breaking Arsenal debut
🗣️ Rio Ferdinand on Ethan Nwaneri: “I've heard from coaches at the club & from various different people in the game at that level that there aren't many 15-year-olds in the last 10 or so years that have got the ability that this guy's shown on a consistent basis.” [via Mail] #afc pic.twitter.com/2X7VpUBRie
— Arsenal Buzz (@ArsenalBuzzCom) September 21, 2022
However, as the saying goes, it’s easy to get to the top but harder to stay there. This is especially true for players with years of experience, let alone a 15-year-old.
Former Gunners midfielder Paul Davis, who spoke with Sky Sports via football.london, said that the young midfielder must have good people around him after making headlines during the week. Davis pointed out that two young Gunners stars in Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe could be the ones to help Nwaneri navigate his newfound attention.
"“Full credit to the club, the fans that have supported him and obviously his family,” Davis said.“He’s got to keep good people around him. If the club have put him in at this stage then they feel he is mentally very strong. That’s the thing for any sportsperson, particularly footballers. The mind has to be strong and you need to have good people around you. Hopefully he’ll have that.“He’s got some good young players in Saka and Smith Rowe who have already done it – I’m sure they’ll look after him. There are some good senior players there as well.”"
Ethan Nwaneri becomes the youngest player ever to play in the Premier League at 15 years and 181 days old 🤯 pic.twitter.com/pQtBmT6SSE
— GOAL (@goal) September 18, 2022
The young attacking midfielder has been with the club since he was nine and has represented the club at all youth levels. With all the media attention surrounding him, Nwaneri must keep his feet on the ground.
He must go back to the youth levels and continue to develop, and eventually, another first-team appearance will come knocking.