Ethan Nwaneri is no gimmick - Arsenal have a special talent on their hands

Give the kid the keys, Mikel. Throw the bag at him, Kroenke.

I'm not even too sure what Arsenal have got at their disposal in Ethan Nwaneri, but it's something quite special. The 17-year-old prodigy was once again the star of the show at the start of the club's Carabao Cup journey as he netted a pearler in Wednesday's serene 3-0 win at Preston.

Nwaneri's strike, Arsenal's second of the night, may well end up being a trademark. The teenager received possession in an inside right position, drifted towards the 'D' with a swift shift and instinctively curled an effort into the top right-hand corner while Freddie Woodman stood motionless and merely admired.

It was the highlight on an all-round lovely night for the club, with Mikel Arteta's team selection suggesting this is a competition he will be taking seriously. Arsenal are now a home tie against Crystal Palace away from the semi-finals.

Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Ethan Nwaneri after Preston win

It'd be easy to get all caught up by that one moment produced by Nwaneri's left boot. However, the teenager's performance can't merely be defined by that sequence. It's the remarkable maturity with which he plays that staggers. This is no ordinary starlet.

Nwaneri plays well beyond his years and carries a distinct swagger when he takes to the field. He's a smart space occupier, a savvy combiner, and tough to dispossess thanks to his youthful but steely frame. The teenager loves to operate from the right half-space but is capable of marauding from that zone in order to have an impact. Bereft of fear and inhibition, Nwaneri boasts the courage to get on the ball as much as possible, and his senior teammates have quickly recognised that.

"He's there. He's showing every day what he's capable of. You see his teammates, they give the ball all the time. That's a great sign. We've got some player there," Arteta told reporters post-match (via 90min).

Much has been made of Arteta's Nwaneri utilisation - or lack thereof - but the boss is well aware of the seismic talent the Gunners have on their hands. While it can be frustrating seeing a youngster with such an exciting gift remain on the bench, the manager's patience may well benefit Nwaneri in the long term.

Arsenal are continuing to lay the foundations for their precocious playmaker, laying "brick by brick", as Arteta put it, and it won't be long until Nwaneri is a regular contributor. The talent's just too huge to ignore. He's ready, and soon Lamine Yamal will be wondering where all the attention has gone.

What were you doing at 17?

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