Mikel Arteta says 17-year-old Arsenal youngster is ‘very close’ to getting promoted to the first-team

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that a teenager is ‘very close’ to receiving a promotion to the Gunners’ first-team.

The North Londoners don’t just have one of the best teams in Europe right now but also a top-class academy. Hale End has been producing a number of excellent players in recent years.

Bukayo Saka has arguably been the best talent they’ve produced in over two decades, while Emile Smith Rowe, when he gets chances, has shown that he is a tremendous footballer as well.

A new generation of young players are coming through the Arsenal academy now, and one teenager could become a first-team star soon, says Arteta.

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal teenager is ‘very close’ to first-team promotion

Mikel Arteta has always been willing to give young players an opportunity at Arsenal.

The likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli may have made their debuts under Unai Emery, but it’s Arteta who has consistently given them opportunities with the first team.

Using young players regularly has been difficult for Arsenal recently because they are fighting for the Premier League and the Champions League, but the pathway to the first team is there.

There are a few extremely talented teenagers in the Gunners academy right now, but one of them stands out more than everyone else – Ethan Nwaneri.

The 17-year-old signed his first professional contract at Arsenal last week. Everyone at the club views him as a tremendous talent who has all the qualities to become a superstar in the coming years.

Arteta spoke about Nwaneri in his press conference ahead of his side’s game against Luton Town, and he revealed that the youngster, who Pep Guardiola wanted at Manchester City, is close to receiving a promotion to the senior side.

He said, as per the Evening Standard: “I was really happy [for Nwaneri signing a professional contract]. He had a great day, he had all his family and important people around him. A really proud moment to see another academy graduate signing his pro contract.

“He is very close to the first team. The opportunity is there, now he needs to take it.”

• READ MORE: Ethan Nwaneri says he absolutely loves playing alongside ‘special’ Arsenal player

Three other Arsenal wonderkids to keep an eye on

Ethan Nwaneri is Arsenal‘s biggest talent in the academy, and he has become a household name. Mikel Arteta really likes him, and we feel it’s only a matter of time before he gets more first-team opportunities.

The 17-year-old, however, isn’t the only player Arsenal fans should be excited about – there are many others. Here are three players we think you should keep an eye on.

Nwaneri’s 17-year-old pal Myles Lewis-Skelly is a magnificent young player. He is yet to make his senior debut, but he has played regularly at youth level and has even drawn comparisons to Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Looking at players even younger, 16-year-old Chido Obi Martin looks like a future superstar. He made a big name for himself a few months ago after scoring 10 goals in a single game against Liverpool.

As well as Obi Martin, 14-year-old Max Dowman has made a huge impression behind the scenes. He looks like a star in the making as well and is already earning rave reviews.