“It sends a bad message to him" - Emmanuel Petit claims one Arsenal star should be worried after Ethan Nwaneri's showing in Forest win
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has claimed that Ethan Nwaneri's form will be a threat to striker Gabriel Jesus. He heaped praise on the youngster and highlighted Jesus' struggles in front of goal.
Nwaneri scored the first Premier League goal of his career in the Gunners' 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on Saturday, November 23. He came on in the 82nd minute with his side 2-0 up to replace skipper Martin Odegaard. He scored within four minutes to make it 3-0.
After the game, Emmanuel Petit spoke about Gabriel Jesus and Nwaneri, saying on Premier League Productions (via TBR Football):
“It sends a bad message to Gabriel Jesus, who was on the pitch for at least an hour. After ten minutes, Nwaneri scored a goal. He is a promising young guy with a bright future, and I hope he gets more time to play.”
Jesus has failed to score in 10 Premier League and four UEFA Champions League appearances for Arsenal this season. He's started four of those 14 games. He played the entire 90 minutes against Nottingham but failed to provide a goal contribution.
The Brazilian's only goal contributions this season came in a 3-0 win over Championship side Preston North End in the EFL Cup Round of 16. He scored a goal and provided an assist in the game.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Ethan Nwaneri starting more games in PL
Ethan Nwaneri is one of the brightest prospects in English football and hence, Arsenal fans demand to see him more often. The demands became louder when captain Martin Odegaard was out injured for around two months.
However, the 17-year-old has played just 238 minutes across nine appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals. He's not started a game in the Premier League or the Champions League but started both in the EFL Cup. After the win over Nottingham, Mikel Arteta was asked why Nwaneri doesn't start in the league and he answered (via Arsenal.com):
"I am always tempted. I think he’s the second-youngest player for the club to score in the Premier League. It’s giving us all the reason and today is another reason to put him there but that’s when I play him and not somebody else. It’s step-by-step, I would say."
The Gunners remained fourth in the league table after the win, sitting six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Arteta's side will next face Sporting CP away in the Champions League on Tuesday, November 26.
