'He is a player': Matthew Upson says Arsenal have a superb young talent in their ranks with a 'lovely' style of play
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Arsenal fans will be eager to go into the November international break on a high note after suffering a downturn in form over the past few weeks.
The Gunners have now failed to win any of their last three Premier League games and have lost three of their last six in all competitions.
On Wednesday night, Arsenal fell to a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan due to a controversial penalty that Hakan Calhanoglu put away.
However, there were a couple of positives from the night, with one young Gunners player delivering a solid cameo off the bench.
Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson sung said player’s praises, saying he is talented and has a “lovely shift of body weight”.
READ MORE: Simone Inzaghi pays big compliment to Arsenal as he shares what Gunners did best against Inter Milan
Matthew Upson hails ‘lovely’ Arsenal talent Ethan Nwaneri
The player in question is Ethan Nwaneri, one of the most exciting youngsters to come through the ranks at Arsenal.
The 17-year-old came off the bench for his Champions League debut and gave a good account of himself.
Nwaneri took 15 touches of the ball, completed nine of his 10 passes, won one ground duel, and completed one dribble.
He also had the chance to seal a draw for Arsenal with a late opportunity, drifting past his man in the 97th minute and getting in a good position.
Although Nwaneri fired over, Upson was still impressed by what he had seen from the teenager.
“Ethan Nwaneri has some talent, he is a player,” Upson said on BBC Radio 5 Live (6/11/2024, 9:59pm).
“The way he received the ball, he has a lovely shift of body weight. That felt like a big moment was going to happen.”
Arteta ‘says ‘very positive’ about Nwaneri future
Last week, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said Nwaneri boasts talent that's "rare to see" in someone so young.
“At 17 years old and doing the position that he is at one of the biggest clubs in Europe, I think that sums up really well the level he has,” said the Gunners manager.
"What happens in the future is going to mainly depend on him and how much he wants it. At the moment he wants it a lot and he is surrounded by the right people.
"The crystal ball to see what he is going to be in two or three years, no. My prediction is going to be very positive?"
Nwaneri could make his ninth appearance of the season when Arsenal head to Chelsea on Sunday for their final Premier League game before the international break.
