Mikel Arteta believes Ethan Nwaneri has taken a “big step” by being called up for England’s Under-21 squad and has backed him to thrive under “phenomenal coach” Lee Carsley.
Nwaneri earned his first call-up to the England Under-21 squad on Friday after a breakthrough season with Arsenal.
The 17-year-old, who has been capped by England at Under-19 level, has scored eight goals for Arsenal this season and had been tipped as an outsider to make Thomas Tuchel’s senior squad.
Nwaneri, unlike fellow Arsenal academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, will have to wait for that - but Arteta believes a spell with the Under-21s now will be beneficial for the forward.
England’s Under-21 side have two huge games this month against France and Portugal, with Arteta excited that Nwaneri is working under his old Everton team-mate, Lee Carsley.
“It’s a big step,” he said. “He’s 17 years old and he’s playing with the under-21s with all the names that they have in the team.
“I spoke to Lee this morning and I’m glad that he’s his coach because I’ve known him very well since we played together for many years. It’s a great pathway and development for him and a great experience for him.
“Lee just said that he was going to select him and I know him. He’s a phenomenal coach and person - unique.
“So I know he’s going to look after him and push him in the right way. He’s going to hear a different coach with different ideas and this is always so good for a young player.”
