16yo winger of Nigerian descent trains with Arsenal first team pre-Burnley 

Arsenal have started preparations for their Premier League meeting with Burnley with a training session held at Sobha Realty Training Centre on Wednesday. 

According to Arsenal youth team guru Jeorge Bird, England youth international of Nigerian descent Ethan Nwaneri was among the six academy stars invited to train with the first team by manager Mikel Arteta. 

Reuell Walters, Mauro Bandeira, James Hillson, Ayden Heaven and  James Sweet also trained with the first-team players on Wednesday.

Arsenal have shown immense faith in Nwaneri, fast-tracking him into the development squad while still a scholar. 

Since the start of the 2023-2024 season, the winger and attacking midfielder has been called up to first team training on countless occasions and has been named in five matchday squads. 

The Anglo-Nigerian wonderkid made his second appearance for Arsenal in their 6-0 hammering of West Ham United last weekend, coming on in the 77th minute as a replacement for Gabriel Martinelli. 

Nwaneri is having an impressive campaign with Arsenal youth teams having registered fourteen goal involvements (11 goals, 3 assists) in ten matches. 

The Hale End Academy graduate will sign a new deal with the Gunners next month when he turns 17 – the age at which Premier League clubs can sign a youth player to a professional contract.

Igho Kingsley 

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

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