UCL: He’s Unique, Like Wilshere – Mikel Arteta Hails Arsenal Star

Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta has hailed Ethan Nwaneri for his ‘unique’ qualities as the 16-year-old prepares to set a new record for the Gunners in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

Arsenal will on Tuesday night host PSV in the Champions League knockout phase.

Nwaneri, who became the Premier League’s youngest-ever player at 15 years and 181 days when he came on for Arsenal against Brentford last season, is in contention to play against PSV, which would make him the youngest player to ever play for the North London club in a European competition.

Jack Wilshere currently holds the record after he played against Dynamo Kiev back in 2008 while aged 16 years and 329 days, but Nwaneri will be 63 days younger if he makes an appearance against the Dutch side.

Arteta likened Nwaneri to Wilshere.

“There is something unique that he’s got that I really liked from the beginning, his ability to take the ball in tight areas and to escape a little bit like Jack Wilshere used to do,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference.

“The personality he has, he trains with us like he trains with the under-18s or under-16s and I love that in a player.”