Danny Murphy has criticised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on talkSPORT (6:39am, September 20, 2022) for giving teenager Ethan Nwaneri a debut against Brentford at the weekend.
The former Liverpool midfielder believes that Arsenal boss Arteta should not have rushed into giving Nwaneri a chance in the Gunners’ first team so early.
The 15-year-old midfielder made his debut for Arsenal against Brentford in the London derby on Sunday.
The teenager came on as a substitute late in the Premier League game.
Nwaneri become the youngest ever Premier League player.
Mikel Arteta criticised over Ethan Nwaneri’s debut for Arsenal
Murphy said: “I am not convinced it is the best move for a young player, I am really not.
“I have seen superstars come on the scene at a young age and thrive and go on and carry on, but there has also been a lot who have fallen by the wayside.
“He is obviously a super-talent, doing well in training and impressing everybody, but surely they have got other 18, 19 and 20-year-olds who are further ahead in their development who could have gone on the bench. I think he is probably trying to keep a young superstar happy.”
Harsh?
In our view, it is a bit harsh from Danny Murphy to criticise Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for his decision over Ethan Nwaneri.
Yes, Nwaneri is only 15, but in football, if you are good enough, then you are old enough.
Arteta will have surely seen enough of the midfielder in training to think that he deserves a place in the Arsenal first team.
Now, of course, Arteta may not use Nwaneri on a regular basis in the coming weeks and months.
After all, the English youngster is only 15.
However, we should not be surprised if Nwaneri gets a few minutes here and there in the coming weeks to enable him to get used to the Premier League.
For now, let’s be happy for Nwaneri.
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