Arsenal Players Whisper About Bringing Wonderkid off the Bench, Mikel Arteta Listens
In a stunning 6-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed that he heard his players whispering on the bench to bring on 16-year-old wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri. This shows the trust and belief that the team has in the young talent, which is a great sign for his future at the club.
The Gunners’ win over West Ham marked their joint-largest ever away league win, and it was a dominant performance from start to finish. With Arsenal scoring their sixth goal in just the 65th minute, Arteta saw this as an opportunity to rest some of his starters and give other players a chance to shine.
It was during this time that the Arsenal players on the bench were urging Arteta to bring on Nwaneri. And in the 77th minute, the young talent replaced Gabriel Martinelli on the field. Arteta recognized the significance of his teammates’ trust in Nwaneri, stating, “There is something that you have to earn in your team and that is the trust of your teammates.”
Nwaneri’s involvement in the game was noticeable, as he received the ball numerous times from his teammates. This further demonstrated the trust that they had in him and his abilities. Arteta praised this interaction, saying, “If they give you the ball all the time, it’s because they really trust you, and you only have to see how many times he was involved in that. So it’s a great sign.”
In addition to Nwaneri’s impressive performance, Arteta also had words of praise for Bukayo Saka. The young star scored his 50th career goal for Arsenal and showed maturity and determination throughout the game. Arteta had doubts about whether Saka would take a penalty due to past events, but Saka proved him wrong and showcased his ability to perform under pressure.
Arteta highlighted Saka’s maturity and determination at such a young age, stating, “At his age, the position and consistency normally don’t go in the same line. He’s proving everybody wrong that he can do it.” Saka’s growth and development are promising for Arsenal, and it is clear that he has a bright future ahead of him.
Overall, Arsenal’s 6-0 victory over West Ham was a display of the team’s strength and depth. Arteta’s decision to listen to his players and bring on Nwaneri paid off, showcasing the trust and belief that the team has in their young talent. Additionally, Saka’s milestone goal further solidified his status as a rising star in the football world. With these impressive performances, Arsenal fans have plenty to be excited about for the future of their club.