Arsenal: Declan Rice hails 'crazy' Ethan Nwaneri as he makes bold Bukayo Saka claim

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Evening Standard

·5 March 2025

Arsenal: Declan Rice hails 'crazy' Ethan Nwaneri as he makes bold Bukayo Saka claim

Saka is set to return next month but Nwaneri could still have key role to play

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Declan Rice believes Ethan Nwaneri is doing enough to force his way into Arsenal’s first-team even when Bukayo Saka returns from injury.

Nwaneri has had a run of games on the right wing in Saka’s absence and continues to impress, with his strike in Arsenal’s 7-1 Champions League win over PSV taking his tally to eight goals in all competitions this season.

The 17-year-old has been Arsenal’s chief attacking threat at times in recent weeks, and even Mikel Arteta has admitted he has been surprised by the impact Nwaneri has had this season.

Saka is expected to return next month from a hamstring injury in a much-needed boost for the Gunners, but Rice is confident that Nwaneri will still be given plenty of minutes by Arteta.

“Top, he’s 17-years-old and playing on the biggest stage in football, it’s crazy,” Rice told TNT Sports when asked about Nwaneri’s display against PSV.

“We see him every day in training. All of the lads have taken him under our wings, same with Myles [Lewis-Skelly] and they deserve to be playing. You should see them train they way they have no fear, they want to come and perform he was brilliant tonight.

“Listen, even if Saks was still here Ethan would still be in and around the team and getting minutes because trust me he trains that well and he’s that good.

“He’s with us, same with Myles even though he came off due to the yellow card we have two youngsters and we have plenty more coming through who are so, so good as well.”