Quantcast
Home   >   News   >   Arteta heaps praise on Ethan Nwaneri after Arsenal beat Girona

Arteta heaps praise on Ethan Nwaneri after Arsenal beat Girona

By on January 30, 2025

Arsenal

Arsenal wrapped up their UEFA Champions League group stage campaign with a 2-1 victory over Girona, sealing their place in the Round of 16.

It was a game that tested their resilience, but in the end, the Gunners did just enough to come away with all three points.

The match started with an early scare for Arsenal. Girona took the lead in the 28th minute when Arnault Danjuma capitalized on poor positioning from Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Neto.

The equalizer came in the 38th minute. Thomas Partey was unfairly brought down inside the box, and Jorginho stepped up to convert from the spot. Just minutes later, Arsenal took the lead.

Seventeen-year-old wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri produced a spectacular finish in the 42nd minute, securing the victory and ensuring Arsenal ended the group stage on a high despite Raheem Sterling’s late penalty miss.

The 17-year-old Arsenal academy graduate has stepped up seamlessly in Bukayo Saka’s absence. While he has yet to reach Saka’s talent level, Nwaneri has proven to be a reliable option for the Gunners. His performances have given Arsenal fans hope that he can play a bigger role in the team’s future.

Arteta on Nwaneri’s Performance

Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta had high praise for Nwaneri. The Arsenal boss described the teenager as aggressive, confident, and willing to take initiative.

‘That’s what we love about him, he’s willing to take the initiative to make things happen. He’s very aggressive when he’s got the ball and so confident because before that he had another action, a very similar one, he made the right choice, he went for it, he has the capacity to finish from every angle basically and it was a very important goal.’

He emphasized the youngster’s natural ability in front of goal, noting how precise he is with his finishing.

“It’s very natural for him, you can see the way he takes the touches, how he beats people and then the technique he’s got, he’s so precise in his finishing, put him a lot of times in that situation and the outcome will be good.”

On David Raya’s Absence

Arteta also addressed the absence of David Raya, confirming that the goalkeeper was injured.

‘He certainly could not play, he’s injured and that’s it.’

The news disappointed many Arsenal fans, as Raya has been a key figure since joining the club. When asked about Raya’s availability for the upcoming clash against Manchester City, Arteta remained cautious, saying, “Let’s see how it goes.”

On finishing in the top eight of the Champions League

The manager also spoke about the significance of finishing in the top eight of the new Champions League group stage format. He highlighted the financial benefits that come with it and expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall progress.

‘I’m sure that they’re really happy with that and the fact we won today as well because the financial incentive is obviously there.’

Arsenal now shift their focus to the Premier League, where they face Manchester City on February 2. With their title hopes on the line, the match is set to be a crucial test for Arteta’s side. The Gunners will be hoping to carry their momentum into the clash as they continue their push for domestic glory.