Arsenal record breaker told how he can land more minutes under Mikel Arteta

As Arsenal continues their preparation for the 2024/25 football season, Mikel Arteta has revealed what talented youngster Ethan Nwaneri needs to do to have a place in his team.

Ethan Nwaneri played the first half of Arsenal 2-1 win over Manchester United in Los Angeles and impressed before coming off for Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand as Arteta casts his eye over his squad ahead of their upcoming Premier League campaign.

Speaking after the match, Arteta noted that Nwaneri has to keep showing “ambition, determination and quality” to pick up more minutes.

Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal FC controls the ball during Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arteta said he was happy with how Nwaneri performed against United and said if she showed the same levels he could expect more game time in the future – and teased he could be involved in the next clash against Liverpool next week.

“It’s always in the hands of the players, so show what you can do. Show that ambition, that determination, that quality and things will happen naturally. Tomorrow he’s going to train with us again and if he continues to play like that he’s going to play some minutes on Wednesday for sure.”

Nwaneri gave Arsenal plenty of energy in his first half display and capped it off with an assist to Jesus, providing him with a tap in to level the score.

Nwaneri is one of the most exciting talents to come out of the club’s academy in recent seasons and big things are expected of him. He picked up one appearance last season – coming on in the 77th minute during Arsenal’s 6-0 win over West Ham in February and will be looking to build on that on this campaign.

He is already a record-breaker at Arsenal, having become the youngest player to appear in the Premier League when he came off the bench against Brentford in the 2022-23 season aged just 15 and 181 days.