
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has expressed his admiration for an Arsenal player who is not Saka or Trossard, but Ethan Nwaneri.
Reflecting on the player’s performance, Nuno admitted, “I’ve never felt this way about a player before, but what he did yesterday made me like him even more. It’s unfortunate that Arteta doesn’t know how to manage him. If I had his quality in my team, I’d be topping the league by now.”
Ethan Nwaneri exudes confidence and carries himself as though he knows he is destined for greatness, regardless of the level he plays at.
Whether it’s with Arsenal’s Under-21s, England’s Under-19s, or against League One, Championship, or Premier League opponents, he remains unfazed and impactful. His demeanor on the pitch suggests that he is fully aware of his potential.
One emerging hallmark of Nwaneri’s game is his celebratory gesture of raising his index finger. Though subtle, it reflects his growing confidence and belief that this is only the start of his journey.
His recent performances have done much to justify this confidence. Since his debut start against Bolton in the Carabao Cup, he has netted four goals for Arsenal, each showcasing different aspects of his exceptional skill set.
Nwaneri’s performance against Nottingham Forest was another testament to his quality. Substituted in with 20 minutes to play, it took him mere seconds to influence the game.
Operating in the right half-space—an area where he often thrives—he displayed his skill and awareness by gliding past two defenders, cutting onto his left foot, and narrowly missing with a curling shot. It was a move that hinted his first Premier League goal was imminent.
His ability to read the game and find space was evident in a previous match against Leicester City, where a similar run into the right half-space led to an assist. Against Nottingham Forest, he once again demonstrated this knack.
Driving into unmarked territory, he found Raheem Sterling with a perfectly timed pass. Sterling, maintaining his composure, cut the ball back to create a chance that Nwaneri capitalized on moments later, celebrating with his trademark finger raise.
Nwaneri’s talent, composure, and ability to deliver decisive moments have made him a standout prospect and a player admired even by rival managers.
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