Gabriel Martinelli has highlighted one Hale End wonderkid who Arsenal are excited about heading into next season.
The Gunners have one of the best academies in England, with Bukayo Saka emerging this season as a world-class winger with Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson all valuable squad players for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.
With a new crop of youngsters currently setting all sorts of records this year, the future of Arsenal has never looked brighter, with next season likely to see some new faces break into the senior team from the academy.
And Martinelli believes one Hale End prospect is set for a big future.
Martinelli highlights Ethan Nwaneri as the next big thing at Arsenal
Speaking to AS, Martinelli pointed out 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri as potentially the next big thing coming out of Arsenal’s academy, with the attacking midfielder catching the eye this season at youth level.
Making two Premier League appearances already for the Gunners, the hype around Nwaneri is very real, with the teenager expected to feature for the senior team next season, and Martinelli is seemingly excited about the England youth international.
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Martinelli said on Arsenal’s academy prospects: “At the club they are very happy with the evolution of the young people who come up from the academy. We try to give them all the help we can to make them comfortable.
“Everyone knows how difficult it is to get into the first team, to be a professional. They have to take advantage of the opportunity, but also be calm. Ethan is a very quality boy. The club has a lot of faith in him and hopes that he will be the one who can help us the most in the future.”
2024/25 season could finally be Nwaneri’s time to shine
Arsenal fans have been teased with Nwaneri’s full promotion to the senior team for the past two seasons, yet the upcoming 2024/25 campaign could finally be when the England youth star is allowed to shine.
Nwaneri has been impressive for the Gunners and for the Three Lions at numerous youth levels in the last 18 months, with the versatile forward more than ready for the step into the professional game next season.
And all signs seem to suggest that Nwaneri is heading exactly in that direction, with the teenager primed for Premier League football having now had the blessing from Martinelli.