Mikel Arteta can’t ignore Ethan Nwaneri’s latest message after Arsenal’s win over Leicester City

Arsenal came away from the game with a 5-1 victory, seeing Ethan Nwaneri steal the headlines with his two goals on his debut as a starter.

Against Leicester City in the Premier League, Arteta gave the 17-year-old another chance to shine, something he did during his short time on the field.

Ethan Nwaneri ‘changed the game’ for Arsenal against Leicester City

Arteta called on Nwaneri to once again show his worth in front of the home fans, hosting the Englishman in the game against Leicester when the Gunners needed a goal.

The teenager eased the tension within the Emirates from the moment he stepped onto the field, as journalist Charles Watts explained on the Inside Arsenal podcast.

“Nwaneri changed the game, he was exactly what we needed in the last 10 minutes”, said the journalist.

“He gave rides to everyone. In the last 10 minutes, instead of everyone being overly anxious, he gave everyone that extra impetus.”

Watts then called on Arteta to be a starting midfielder in the upcoming Premier League match against Southampton, backing Nwaneri to take up the midfield role alongside Declan Rice.

“I think he has to start 100% against Southampton, I see no reason why he shouldn’t, he’s ready, he’s absolutely ready, we’re seeing that. I would play Nwaneri alongside Rice in midfield.”

Many agree with Watts’ opinion, with Nwaneri showing last week that he is more than capable of being a starter in Arteta’s team at the moment.

Mikel Arteta must respond to Nwaneri’s message against Southampton

Against Leicester, Nwaneri came close to scoring when the stakes were high, showing a level of confidence that came from a drive to help his team.

The 17-year-old showed no fear as he tried to make the game his own, giving Arteta yet another reason why he should start against the Saints.

Nwaneri was branded ‘fearless’ by Theo Walcott after his cameo against Leicester, which Arteta should reward, especially as the gap to utilize the teenager begins to close.

With Martin Odegaard currently out of action through injury, now is the time for the manager to give the Hale End product a platform to shine in his favored position, with the captain’s absence a subtle blessing to learn more about Nwaneri.

There isn’t much more the teenager can do to impress in the first team, with every opportunity producing something brilliant this season.

Given how quickly the games are moving for Arsenal, with Champions League football back on the calendar, Arteta could use Nwaneri as his secret weapon, with no better chance than when the Gunners welcome Southampton to the Emirates.

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