'No doubt': Cesc Fabregas says Arsenal have a top talent in their ranks who could 'make an impact' in NLD

09/13/2024 03:15 AM

Arsenal are gearing up to contest a high-stakes North London derby away at Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

At 2pm BST on Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners will lock horns with Spurs as both sides seek to get their respective Premier League seasons back on track.

Arsenal have had several stumbling blocks in their preparations for the game in the shape of several key midfielders being unavailable for the match.

Mikel Merino and Declan Rice are out, while Martin Odegaard suffered an ankle injury on Norway duty and is likely to miss out too.

Arteta, who has just signed a new Arsenal contract, has some thinking to do in terms of who will take to the pitch at N17.

There has been some debate involving Ethan Nwaneri’s suitability for a spot in the Gunners’ starting XI.

The 17-year-old one of the most exciting youngsters to come through the Hale End ranks in recent years.

However, when it comes to Arsenal debuts, there won’t be many baptisms as fiery as Tottenham away.

Cesc Fabregas has now given his verdict on whether Nwaneri should start for the Gunners at the home of their bitter rivals.

Cesc Fabregas backs Mikel Arteta to make right Ethan Nwaneri decision in Arsenal trip to Tottenham

Fabregas, speaking on the Planet Premier League podcast, believes Nwaneri has what it takes to start – if that’s what Arteta wants.

“I have no doubt, that if Mikel puts him in the starting 11, or even on during the game, it’s because he’s seen that he’s good enough to make an impact,” said Fabregas.

“He’s on his [Arteta’s] mind and if he’s part of the squad it’s because he really believes that he can bring something to the table."

How many games has Nwaneri played for Arsenal so far?

Nwaneri made footballing headlines back in September 2022 when he made his Arsenal senior debut at the age of just 15 years and 181 days.

His appearance in the 3-0 Premier League win against Brentford made him the youngest ever player to appear in the Premier League, as well as the youngest ever Arsenal player.

Nwaneri has since made one more competitive appearance for the Gunners, getting 13 minutes under his belt in a 6-0 Premier League win over West Ham in February 2024.

The teenager has also made the Arsenal matchday squad a further eight times in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

One recent report claimed that Nwaneri is unlikely to start against Tottenham, but should be in the XI against Bolton in the League Cup.