Mikel Arteta praises youth duo’s displays vs Manchester United | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta praised Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Ayden Heaven following another strong night for the Gunners’ academy players in the first team.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA: Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal controls the ball against Hannibal Mejbri in the first half during a pre-season friendly match at SoFi Stadium on July 27, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Arsenal played their third pre-season fixture on Saturday night against Manchester United, having previously beaten Leyton Orient behind closed doors and drawn with Bournemouth in their opening two fixtures.

As in both of those games, there was a heavy youth presence in Mikel Arteta’s side on Saturday.

Centre-back Ayden Heaven and midfielder Ethan Nwaneri were named in the starting lineup, and Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Josh Nichols, and Myles Lewis Skelly came off the bench in the second half.

Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus (R) celebrates with teammates including Ayden Heaven after scoring a goal during the pre-season club friendly football match between Manchester United FC and Arsenal FC at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

Things didn’t start in an ideal manner for Heaven, as he was caught out in a physical duel with Rasmus Hojlund as the striker scored United’s opening goal of the contest.

Yet the defender bounced back really well, showing a lot of confidence in his own ability despite the setback and ending the half very positively

“[Heaven’s reaction was] very impressive,” Arteta said afterwards. “At 17, I don’t know how many players are able to do that on a stage like this.

“He’s lost a duel against one of the strongest and fastest players in the world, it can happen. But the reaction afterwards, the composure, the quality, the body language that he had were all remarkable. I’m really happy with him.”

Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus (C) celebrates with Martin Odegaard (2nd R) and teammates after scoring a goal during the pre-season club friendly football match between Manchester United FC and Arsenal FC at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

As for Nwaneri, the midfielder helped to make sure his youth teammate’s error was quickly cancelled out, assisting Gabriel Jesus’ equaliser.

Nwaneri was excellent throughout the first 45 minutes, and Arteta suggested he’s earning more minutes with his performances.

“It’s always in the hands of the players, so show what you can do,” Arteta said.

“Show that ambition, that determination, that quality and things will happen naturally. Tomorrow he’s going to train with us again and if he continues to play like that he’s going to play some minutes on Wednesday [against Liverpool] for sure.”