Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is facing growing calls to sanction a loan departure for teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri, whose development is being hampered by limited first-team opportunities this season.
Academy star squeezed out by big-money signings
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who became the Premier League's youngest ever player when he debuted in 2022, has found himself pushed down the pecking order following Arsenal's significant summer investment. The arrivals of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze have created intense competition for places in Arteta's squad.
Despite injuries affecting Arsenal's frontline in recent weeks, Nwaneri has yet to start a Premier League match this campaign, raising concerns about his development stagnating without regular competitive football.
Former Arsenal star advocates for loan move
Ex-Gunner Lauren has become the latest voice urging Arteta to consider a temporary exit for the talented teenager. Speaking to Metro, the former defender emphasised the importance of playing time for young prospects.
"First of all, youngsters have to play to able to develop and improve his qualities," Lauren stated. "We know about his qualities. A young player needs to play if he is to develop."
Lauren acknowledged the increased difficulty for academy graduates to break into the current Arsenal setup, noting: "At this moment of time, it's very difficult for him to pop up into the team because there are top players now. There are more good players in the last third so for him it's more difficult."
The former Invincible applied the same logic to fellow prospect Max Dowman, suggesting both would benefit from temporary moves away from the Emirates Stadium.
High praise from football legends
Nwaneri's potential has drawn remarkable comparisons from some of football's most respected figures. Former Chelsea and England star Joe Cole went as far as likening the teenager to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi after watching him star in an injury-hit Arsenal's victory at Leicester City.
"He's a strong little thing. You can't mark him because he can go both ways," Cole told TNT Sports. "These touches he produces in and around the box, I don't want to say it, but it's like Messi. I don't want to put any more pressure on the kid's shoulders, I'm sure he'll deal with it. He plays with such confidence and he's a beautiful player."
Arsenal legend Martin Keown also heaped praise on Nwaneri following that performance, describing him as almost "Saka's twin" and highlighting his confidence and aggressive ball-carrying ability.
Last season provided glimpses of Nwaneri's capabilities, with the teenager scoring nine times across 37 appearances while regularly producing moments of quality that captured attention throughout the football community.
Loan pathway could benefit all parties
With Arsenal understood to be open to a temporary departure for their academy graduate, a loan move appears increasingly likely in the coming months. Lauren emphasised that such a step shouldn't be viewed negatively.
"It's not a bad idea to go on loan and then to play the games that you need to develop," he explained. "Maybe he might come back. It's not the end of the world. I believe it could be a good option for a youngster to move along and then come back later on."
The situation highlights the challenging balance top Premier League clubs must strike between investing in established talent and developing their own academy prospects, with Arsenal's strengthened squad depth now creating difficult decisions for Arteta and his coaching staff.
