BREAKING NEWS: “Although I’m not an Arsenal fan, I have to point this out—Arsenal could have been at the top of the table if it weren’t for the mistake Mikel Arteta made. Why did he wait so long? He could have turned Arsenal’s season around…”—Rio Ferdinand claims Arteta’s ‘big mistake’ may have cost Arsenal the title!

Arsenal continued their impressive form with a 2-0 victory over Leicester, securing three vital points on Saturday. Mikel Merino played a key role, scoring both goals late in the game.

However, the real star of the match was 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, whose outstanding display caught the attention of fans and analysts alike.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal may have missed an opportunity by not utilizing Nwaneri earlier in the season. He pointed out that when club captain Martin Odegaard was sidelined for two months with an ankle injury, the young midfielder could have been given a more significant role.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand claimed that Arsenal might have been in a stronger position in the title race if manager Mikel Arteta had trusted Nwaneri sooner. He stated:

“Arsenal could be in a better place and much closer to Liverpool if Arteta had played Nwaneri when Odegaard was unavailable.”

Ferdinand was full of praise for the teenager’s talent, emphasizing his ability to trouble defenders and make an impact. He suggested that Arsenal’s struggles for creativity during Odegaard’s absence could have been alleviated if Nwaneri had been given more opportunities. According to Ferdinand, this decision may have cost Arsenal valuable points in the title race.

Nwaneri’s performances have earned widespread recognition, with former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole even drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Premier League legend Alan Shearer described him as a “potential superstar.”

Despite being gradually introduced into the squad, the young talent has already managed seven goals in 24 appearances this season. With key players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli still recovering from injuries, Nwaneri’s importance to the team has only increased.

Ferdinand believes Arsenal’s reluctance to rely on Nwaneri earlier in the campaign might prove costly as they continue to chase Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title.

With only a handful of matches remaining, every point is crucial, and Arsenal will be counting on their rising star to maintain his impressive form. If Nwaneri can continue delivering strong performances, he could play a decisive role in ending the club’s 21-year wait for a league title.