ETHAN NWANERI has to use a separate changing room from the rest of the Arsenal squad – because he’s too young.
The 17-year-old is enjoying a breakthrough year at the Emirates after coming through the Gunners’ Academy.
Nwaneri has scored in back-to-back games, including off the bench in the 5-1 mauling of Manchester City last weekend.
But the teenager isn’t allowed to mix with his teammates in the first-team changing room – due to strict safeguarding rules.
Arteta said: “Ethan cannot be in our dressing room still, which is unbelievable.
“He needs to get dressed somewhere else, even on match day.”
Premier League safeguarding rules mean players must be 18 or older to share a dressing room with the senior squad.
Arteta has highlighted Nwaneri’s friendship with Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, as a key driver behind the teenager’s success.
The pair are both graduates of the Arsenal academy and are inseparable off the field.
Arteta continued: “When you see those two [Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri] walking next to each other, talking to each other, there is a bond there and a chemistry there.
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“I imagine for them it is special because at the moment they are still in different dressing rooms.
‘So to have somebody close to him that has that trust, that confidence, that link, I think it is lucky.
“They are very lucky to have each other.”
Nwaneri created history in 2022 by becoming the youngest player to make his debut in the Premier League.
Both Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri were nurtured by development coach Dan Micciche.
The former England Under-16s boss has previously worked with Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho,
Micciche told SunSport: “Those two are technically outstanding.
[Arteta] had them over [with the first team] since a very young age. He knew about them when they were 14.
“First of all, it was their focus to play football.
Arsenal player ratings vs Man City
ARSENAL stunned Man City 5-1 at the Emirates on Sunday evening.
It was an incredible result against their rivals of recent years.
Here, we take a look at how the Gunners rated…
David Raya – 7/10
Had very little to do in the first half but made a brilliant save in the 22nd minute to deny a goalbound header from Josko Gvardiol. Made another stunning save two minutes from the half-time interval, stopping a deflected Savinho shot from close range. Powerless to stop Erling Haaland’s 55th-minute header from briefly levelling the scores.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Didn’t offer his usual attacking threat going forward but was solid defensively. Picked up a pointless yellow breaking up a harmless counter-attack in the 24th minute. Almost scored late in the second half.
William Saliba – 5
Didn’t have much to do in the first half but won all his aerial battles in the first 45 minutes. Marshalled the defence well early in the second period but was embarrassingly outjumped and outmuscled by Haaland for City’s equaliser – a major flaw of his that continues to be exposed.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
Like his defensive partner, he was seldom called into action in the first half. Dominant in the air in his battles with Haaland, who he trolled after Odegaard’s goal.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 8
Continues to endear himself to the Emirates faithful with composure and tenacity beyond his years as he brilliantly floated between left back and midfield. Put real daylight between the two sides with a thumping finish just after the hour mark. This young lad is a real bright prospect for both the Gunners and England.
His trolling of Haaland by copying the Norwegian’s ‘Lotus’ celebration went down a storm with fans.
Thomas Partey – 7
Steady in the heart of midfield and broke up play well when required. Fired the Gunners back into the lead in the 57th minute with a deflected shot from outside the box.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Was in the right place at the right time to benefit from the aftermath of an uncharacteristic Manuel Akanji error and break the deadlock. Was at the heart of everything good the north Londoners did going forward.
Declan Rice – 6
Combative, as always, in the middle of the park and played a role in the home side taking the lead, teeing up Havertz who squared the ball to Odegaard.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Was particularly lively on the left in the first half, giving Matheus Nunes a real run for his money. His end product, however, wasn’t the best.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Lively on the right wing in the early goings. Found the back of the net in the fifth minute after some beautiful play from Odegaard but was needlessly offside. Forced a good save out of Ortega with a rasping effort in the 68th minute.
Kai Havertz – 6
Lively early doors, testing Stefan Ortega with a tame shot in the first minute. Teed up Odegaard for a tap in a few moments later. Missed a golden opportunity to double the lead in the 25th minute, dragging the ball wide with the goal at his absolute mercy. Made amends for his howler by finishing an even harder chance in the 76th minute. He well and truly needed that as he looked absolutely devoid of confidence.
SUBS
Ethan Nwaneri – 83 (on for Trossard) – 7
Put the cherry on top of the cake with an outrageous effort in second-half stoppage time.
Mikel Merino – 83 (on for Odegaard) – 5
Raheem Sterling – 89 (on for Kai Havertz ) – N/A
Riccardo Calafiori 89 (on for Lewis-Skelly) – N/A
Read more on all the latest Arsenal news.
“They’re great lads but when it is time to train and play they were always 100 per cent focused and committed to what they are doing.
“There was never at any time an issue of them lacking focus or that willingness to improve, their mentality was incredible, although they ticked all the boxes.
“Technically outstanding, physically they were efficient movers, their football athleticism was good.
“They delivered when it counts. They won a lot of youth tournaments together, when it came to semi-finals and finals they would deliver that.
“They would score goals, they would create goals, they would dominate games. That’s what the best players do, they deliver in big moments and that’s what they did.”
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