Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has addressed the curious case of Ethan Nwaneri and his recent drop in game time, putting to rest growing speculation around the teenage prodigy’s limited appearances.
The 18-year-old midfielder, once hailed as the future of Arsenal and the youngest-ever Premier League player at just 15, has recently seen his minutes cut after a promising start to the season, Footballrover reports.
Arteta provided clarity during his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s high-stakes clash with Liverpool.
“He’s played probably more than anybody expected,” Arteta said. “And in the last few games, because of the games and the context, we decided not to play him that much. It can change very quickly.”
Drop in game time for Ethan Nwaneri is no cause for panic
Despite the visible drop in game time, Arteta assured fans that the decision was tactical rather than performance-related.
He emphasised that rotation and match context were the driving forces behind resting Ethan Nwaneri, especially as the season hits a crucial phase.
Nwaneri has featured several times this season and earned praises for his calmness under pressure, creativity, and maturity beyond his years.
His early introduction to top-flight football raised expectations, but Arteta’s comments suggest a long-term development plan is in place.
Ethan Nwaneri remains a key piece in Arsenal’s future
While some fans feared the drop in game time could indicate a loss of faith, Arteta’s remarks dispel such concerns.
The manager’s strategy appears focused on preserving Nwaneri’s physical and mental well-being in a tightly packed fixture calendar.
Having broken records in 2022/23 and continued impressing through Arsenal’s academy ranks, Nwaneri remains one of the most exciting prospects at the club.
As Arsenal continues to push for Premier League and European success, expect to see Nwaneri back in action soon—but when the moment is right, obviously.
Be the first to comment on "Ethan Nwaneri: Arteta reveals real reason behind Arsenal starlet’s mysterious drop in game time — ‘He has played too much’"