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Arsene Wenger has hailed Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri as a “special talent” amid comparisons to Cesc Fabregas.
Nwaneri is enjoying a breakthrough season in the Arsenal first-team and marked his latest appearance with an assist in the 2-0 win over Leicester City at the weekend.
After being denied by the woodwork twice in the second half, the teenager turned provider with a perfectly weighted cross for Mikel Merino to break the deadlock.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, pundit Joe Cole somewhat reluctantly brought up similarities between Nwaneri and Lionel Messi.
Though, Wenger, who knows a thing or two about giving opportunities to players at a young age, thinks the 17-year-old can be a key player for Arsenal like Cesc Fabregas was 20 years ago.
“Nwaneri is more a creator through his final ball, his dribbling and the quality of his passing,” Wenger said on beIN SPORTS in reference to Fabregas.
“Yeah, of course, Fabregas was very strong mentally but this boy looks as well and when I look at him, his maturity, it’s difficult for me to think he’s 17 years old.”
After being interrupted by host Richard Keys who reminded the former Arsenal manager that this was the case with Fabregas, Wenger responded by saying: “Of course but the sign of a special talent is they are ready early.”
It remains to be seen if Nwaneri can emulate Fabregas at Arsenal in the future, but he has certainly got a big role to play between now and the end of the season.
The Gunners are suffering with a mini-injury crisis at present with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus out for the remainder of the campaign, whilst Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli aren’t expected to return for at least another month.
Nwaneri has scored seven goals in 24 appearances across all competitions so far for Arsenal.
