Arsene Wenger names one Arsenal player who has already shown sign of being 'special talent'

Arsenal managed to escape a tight game against Leicester City over the weekend after they won 2-0 at the King Power Stadium which left them seven points behind Liverpool.

Mikel Merino came on as a substitute to score both of Arsenal’s goals as he played in Kai Havertz’ striker role, with the German out injured for the rest of the season.

However, midfielder Ethan Nwaneri stole the show. The 17-year-old assisted Merino’s first goal, and was the Gunners’ main creative outlet throughout the game, with the Foxes struggling to contain him.

Arsene Wenger compares Ethan Nwaneri to Cesc Fabregas

After the game, former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was full of praise for Nwaneri, who has stepped up in the absence of the injured Bukayo Saka.

He compared him to Fabregas, who emerged as a teenage talent during Wenger’s time in charge at Arsenal. Speaking on beIN Sports, he said: “Nwaneri is more a creator through his final ball, his dribbling and the quality of his passing.

“Yeah, of course, [Cesc] Fabregas was very strong mentally but this boy looks as well and when I look at him, his maturity, it’s difficult for me to think he’s 17 years old.”

Fabregas came through at Arsenal aged 16, becoming Arsenal’s youngest ever first team player at the time. He ended up making over 300 appearances for the club, becoming captain, and scoring 57 goals for the club.

Wenger was asked if Nwaneri is ready much like Fabregas was when he was 17, with the former Arsenal boss simply replying: “Of course but the sign of a special talent is they are ready early.”

Nwaneri has made a total of 24 appearances for Arsenal so far this season, scoring seven goals, and contributing one assist for Mikel Arteta. He can play anywhere along the front line, and could become the Gunners’ choice at striker due to Havertz’ recent season-ending injury.

Arteta believes Nwaneri could become Havertz replacement

Earlier in the season, the Arsenal boss made it clear that he thinks Nwaneri has all the abilities in order to develop into a striker, which could help solve his side’s issues with a lack of a goal scorer.

He told Goal.com back in December: “Ethan can play as a right attacking midfielder, a left attacking midfielder. He can play as a right winger and there is another position I think he can develop into – No9. He has got the goal in front of him and he looks at the goal and he has a tremendous ability to put the ball in the back of the net.”

Nwaneri could move to the striker position when Bukayo Saka returns from injury, as Saka will return to his right winger spot, which Nwaneri is currently occupying.