Arsenal Legend Reflects On Watching “Special” Nwaneri Grow

By The Editor
on 28th November 2024

David Seaman has been present for Nwaneri’s development…

Arsenal legend David Seaman reflected on watching teenage star Ethan Nwaneri grow up with the former goalkeeper a consistent presence at London Colney in recent years.

Speaking on his podcast Seaman Says, the Arsenal icon waxed lyrical about Nwaneri’s development after watching him transition to the first team.

Seaman coaches goalkeepers across all levels at the club’s training ground and says it doesn’t take a genius to recognise how special the 17-year-old is.

The 61-year-old spoke after Nwaneri opened his Premier League account as he came on to bag our third goal in a comfortable win against Nottingham Forest.

“I’ve seen him come through the academy,” Seaman said.

“I spoke last week about seeing him in school uniform after training because he had to back to school.

“Seeing him grow up and when you look at him you think, ’17!?.’ He’s left-footed as well which is a real bonus.

“Yeah, he’s special – a great asset for Arsenal.”

Mikel Arteta has yet to give Nwaneri a start in either the Premier League or Champions, but one suspects that opportunity isn’t too far off.

With two home games in the Champions League to come as we look to secure our place in the last-16, Arteta may see those games against Monaco and Dinamo Zagreb to continue Nwaneri’s development.

At the moment, the England U19 international is doing everything right as he looks to make an immediate impact during every minute handed to him.

Following Martin Odegaard’s return, it will be interesting to see if Arteta is tempted to operate Nwaneri alongside the skipper ahead of a holding midfielder.