Mikel Arteta reacts to calls for more Ethan Nwaneri game time

Mikel Arteta has hinted that teenager Ethan Nwaneri will continue to be eased into his first team amid calls from supporters for the midfielder to break into the Spaniard's starting XI.

Clamours for Nwaneri were rife in the aftermath of Arsenal's 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday with Arteta opting for a risk-averse set-up which lacked a natural creator in the absence of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.

Mikel Merino made his first start for the club but performed a rather unfamiliar role which saw him join the first pressing line alongside Kai Havertz. We only saw Nwaneri in the closing stages of the defeat, but the 17-year-old once again offered glimpses of his distinct talent.

Mikel Arteta reacts to calls for more Ethan Nwaneri game time

Odegaard's continued absence and the promise Nwaneri has shown for the senior side thus far has sparked a borderline outcry for the teenager to play a much bigger role for the Gunners over the coming weeks.

Arteta has a great opportunity to hand the elegant young midfielder just his second Arsenal start on Tuesday night as Shakhtar Donetsk come to town on Matchday 3 of the Champions League league phase. However, the boss has continued to err on the side of caution in regard to Nwaneri's integration.

“I think it is identifying moments, understanding where he is, where the team is and what is the optimal moment to throw a player in that context,” Arteta said on potentially seeing more of Nwaneri in Monday's pre-match press conference (via the Standard).

“He has already done a lot in a very short period of time, so let’s take it step by step and make sure those steps are consistent, and can allow him to grow in the manner and form that we want him in the team.”

The Premier League record-breaker has been limited to three cameo appearances in the top flight this season, but he did make his first start for the club in a 5-1 thrashing of League One Bolton in the third round of the Carabao Cup, scoring twice.

Nwaneri will not be expected to suddenly play a big role for the title hopefuls during a tough run of upcoming fixtures which sees Arteta's side face the likes of Liverpool, Inter, Newcastle, and Chelsea, but the teenager has already shown he'd be able to hold his own against teams of Shakhtar's calibre.

While I completely understand Arteta's cautious stance, many supporters would be bitterly disappointed if Nwaneri is limited to another cameo on Tuesday night. It's time to let the kid loose!

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