Theo Walcott delivers Ethan Nwaneri verdict ahead of Arsenal trip to Tottenham

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Arsenal are in a bit of a difficult situation ahead of their North London derby clash with Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

At 2pm on Sunday, the Gunners will lock horns with Spurs at N17 as both sides seek to get their respective Premier League seasons back on track.

However, Arsenal will have to do so without at least two of their key midfielders, potentially three.

New signing Mikel Merino hasn’t played competitively for Mikel Arteta’s side yet due to a training-ground injury.

Arsenal star Declan Rice then received a controversial second booking in the meeting with Brighton to rule him out of the trip to Tottenham.

And on Monday, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard suffered an injury on international duty with Norway, rendering him a doubt for the Spurs clash.

A number of Gunners players have been tipped to replace Odegaard should he miss the match, including Hale End star Ethan Nwaneri.

Theo Walcott has now given his verdict on the 17-year-old midfielder ahead of the big game.

Theo Walcott says Ethan Nwaneri unlikely to start for Arsenal at Tottenham

Walcott joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old back in 2016, so he knows all too well what it’s like to handle pressure at the club as a youngster.

The retired winger told football.london that, while Nwaneri is a “great kid” and a “good athlete”, he can’t see him starting against Tottenham as it would be too much an ask.

“I would probably expect Havertz to drop back into that role and see Jesus up front,” said Walcott.

“Of course, you’ve got Raheem, who can play and is a lot more experienced, but someone in that position again, I can’t quite see that.”

However, Walcott suggested that Nwaneri could potentially come on off the bench and “make an impact”.

He said: “I wouldn’t expect Nwaneri to start in that position. I think he’s one of those who likes to come inside but to start in the derby when you got a lot of players out, I’m not quite sure yet if he’s ready for that.

“But of course, make an impact because again, when I came through, I was used as a bit of an impact player at first just to find my feet, and it worked.

“I think when you have that as a player, eventually, yes, you do need to take the next step when the manager gives you the opportunity and actually go for it but I just don’t think this is the right timing right now.

“He had a great pre-season great kid, good athlete. But it’s one of those where we just need to take a step back – which we won’t because I know that from being on the other side of it – and just let this guy develop.”

How many games has Nwaneri played for Arsenal so far?

Nwaneri made headlines in September 2022 when he made his Arsenal senior debut aged just 15 years and 181 days in the 3-0 Premier League win against Brentford.

His appearance in the match made him the youngest ever player to appear in the Premier League, as well as the youngest ever Arsenal player.

Nwaneri has since made one more competitive appearance for the Gunners, getting 13 minutes under his belt in a 6-0 win over West Ham in February 2024.

The teenager has also made the Arsenal matchday squad a further eight times in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.