Journalist Charles Watts has revealed that Ethan Nwaneri’s impact convinced Arsenal to allow Fabio Vieira to leave for FC Porto. The risk has paid off for the Gunners, with Nwaneri delivering crucial performances to contribute to his team’s unbeaten streak in the Premier League.
Nwaneri, aged 17, made the jump from the U21 side to Arsenal’s first team in July. Despite being on the bench for the first three Premier League games, coach Mikel Arteta gave him a four-minute appearance in the win over Spurs on Matchday 4. His second league appearance came on Matchday 6 against Leicester City, where he showcased a strong performance off the bench in the 85th minute to help secure a 4-2 victory.
Nwaneri’s standout performance came in his first start for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup. The talented attacking midfielder scored two impressive goals as Arsenal comfortably defeated Bolton Wanderers 5-1.
Arsenal Loaned Fabio Vieira After Witnessing Ethan Nwaneri’s Talent
Following the sale of Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham and loaning Vieira to Porto, Arsenal potentially left Martin Odegaard without direct cover. Watts believes this decision was a strategic move from Arteta and his team, as they had seen Nwaneri’s capabilities firsthand.
In his Daily Briefing column for CaughtOffside, Watts stated:
“Nwaneri was the spark that lifted everyone for that final push against Leicester. I would start him next weekend against Southampton. Honestly, I would have started him against Leicester. I just think he’s ready. I wouldn’t even be worried if he were to start against PSG, not that I think he will.
“But the Southampton game would be perfect. In the absence of Martin Odegaard, he can just provide that bit of guile and creativity that Arsenal are perhaps missing, especially against teams that will sit deep against them.”
He continued:
“The coaching staff know that he is ready to play, Arteta has admitted that himself in recent weeks. He is very much now a part of the first-team squad and his progress is a big part of why Fabio Vieira was allowed to leave on loan.
“Obviously Arsenal do still have to tread carefully with him and they will. He will be carefully managed as his minutes increase, but I’m really looking forward to watching his development over the next couple of seasons.”
Nwaneri joins the ranks of high-potential talents emerging from Arsenal’s academy, alongside the likes of Bukayo Saka, Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, and Eddie Nketiah in recent years.
