What makes Ethan Nwaneri so special? — Scouting Report w/ Video Footage
Ethan Nwaneri is a player with unique qualities for such a young age. Nwaneri became the youngest ever player to feature in a premier league game, coming on as a substitute at age 15 for Arsenal. He contributed to 12 goals in just 16 games in the U18’s Premier League, before being played in the Premier League 2. Having recently signed a scholarship deal with Arsenal, it seems that he has committed his future to the club — so what makes him so special?
Nwaneri is a blend of footballing profiles — a youth prospect waiting to be crafted into a specific role. Nwaneri has the technical ability and close control of a #10, able to combine in central and wide areas, whilst also further possessing the calmness and maturity to aid in 1st and 2nd phases of play. Nwaneri seems to be the perfect fit for a multi-phase, all-action #8, whilst also possessing the qualities to specialise in the 3rd phase and become an output machine.
Nwaneri has been played out wide as a winger, and in central zones both as an attacking #10 and a deeper #8. Nwaneri has an inherent preference for centralised zones — even when playing out-wide, his immediate reaction upon receiving the ball on the touchline is to carry it inside — he rarely looks to take on his man. This is not problematic at all. Instead, it highlights where he naturally feels most at home on a football pitch. Below, we can see him receiving out wide and carrying it across the central zones of the pitch.
Nwaneri is willing to show for the ball in all phases of play — hence why I call him a “multi-phase” player. He is calm and composed when receiving in deeper areas, and his tight turning radius, close control and awareness make him relatively press resistant. When pressed from behind, Nwaneri turns with ease and bypasses the press whilst finding a free man with a snappy pass.
However, Nwaneri really comes to life when he advances up the pitch. Whilst he can be used to receive and redistribute in deeper areas, his ability to impact the final phase of play should not be ignored. Nwaneri is incredibly technical. The ball “sticks” to him, as he turns and carries it with ease. His low centre of gravity and close control allows him to “glide” through opposition. He has the ability to receive in tight areas, between the lines, and wriggle out of suffocating situations with the ball at his feet. This is where my #10 comparison originates from — the dribbling in tight spaces, the way he moves with the ball…
Nwaneri is more likely to be asking for the ball to feet in central areas, dropping deeper to aid in progression. Of course, we must see how he develops, but it is unlikely that he will develop into a player who is making runs in behind the last line — he likes the ball to feet. When receiving in central areas, Nwaneri also possesses the vision to play those final balls that slice teams open. These line-breaking and progressive passes are an incredibly useful tool in Nwaneri’s arsenal.
In terms of Nwaneri’s ball striking, he consistently strikes through the ball cleanly when crossing and taking free kicks. However, when shooting, particularly under pressure, his ball striking is still quite raw.
What really makes Nwaneri stand out is his physicality at such a young age. At just 16 years old, he is strong enough to shield the ball and hold up play against grown men. In the U17’s England team, he consistently used this to draw fouls and maintain possession. This is particularly useful when taking into account the importance of ball retention in modern football — Nwaneri is already mastering this aspect of the game.
Nwaneri is also a top athlete. In transition, he can use his running power and ball control to carry it himself or make runs off the ball. He can crash the box late, or tear blocks apart with runs in behind in central zones. This also translates to his ability off the ball — he is an aggressive presser, energetically closing people down and competing in duels.
Nwaneri does struggle to compete for the ball in the air, but he makes up for this by competing for the second balls on the ground. Typically, he will be beaten to the first or second balls in the air, but then aggressively fight for the third or fourth balls on the ground — he is relentless.
Nwaneri is also strong defensively, particularly in 1v1 situations:
As I have stated, Nwaneri is unmoulded. He can impact all phases of play, whilst playing in more advanced central areas, or playing deeper. For Arsenal, it seems as though he is tailor-made for the right #8 role, with 2nd phase responsibilities and a focus on final third play. In the 2nd phase, he can collect the ball and carry it himself, utilising his athleticism, whilst also using his ball-striking and vision to find his teammates with the ball, aiding in progression. In the final third, he can receive in tight areas between the lines, utilising his close control whilst combining with teammates and fending off the opposition with his physicality. He also has the awareness and intelligence to get into the box for crosses, demonstrating a sound goal-scoring instinct.
Off the ball, Nwaneri is just what Arteta is looking for — an elite athlete who is an aggressive dueller and always looking to win 2nd balls, whilst also being an aggressive presser.
This is not to say that Nwaneri’s ability in the 1st phase should not be utilised, but when looking at his strengths, his ability in the 1st phase can be seen as a bonus — if needed, he can drop in and aid in build-up. Most likely, this will not be his primary role. Here, we can see Nwaneri dropping deeper to aid in the 1st phase of play despite playing a more advanced midfield role in this game. This will most likely resemble his 1st phase responsibilities in the #8 role for Arsenal — he can drop in from more advanced positions but it is not his primary role.
So, Nwaneri is incredibly technical and physical, dominant in the final third in tight spaces, can drive through open spaces using his athleticism as a form of ball progression, and can also aid in build-up, all whilst possessing the aggressive off-the-ball attributes that Mikel Arteta wants from a midfielder… at just 16 years of age. But what are some of his weaknesses?
Sometimes, Nwaneri can make poor decisions as a result of attempting to play too positively — he can dribble into danger, fail to release the ball quick enough, or ignore the easy pass. He may have the option to play backwards to the CB’s, or pass it horizontally to a fellow midfielder. But when being closed down, he will try to play through them. He will show off his ability, weaving his way through three players. But there are times when this is not needed, and he actually ends up losing the ball. This eagerness can actually harm his ball retention, and act as a opposing force to what makes him so special, and is a sign of immaturity and rawness in his game.
But this is what happens when you are 16 years old. There are few people his age with his level of technical ability and physicality. The simple solution for this criticism is time — the more football Nwaneri plays, the better he will recognise when there is a green light to dance his way through opponents, and when there is a red light, in which he should keep the ball and play the safe pass. It is also important to note that Nwaneri does have an understanding of when to do this already — he can aid in ball retention, and he does regularly play the safe pass. But there are times when it seems that he switches off, and his talent takes over his brain. These moments must be phased out — but I have no doubt they will.
Overall, Nwaneri is a top talent. He already possesses all the attributes required for Arsenal’s #8 role, but these attributes must now be honed in. Nwaneri is an incredibly mature player, but signs of his age do creep into his football. Over time, I expect these to diminish — for now, Nwaneri should just be getting consistent minutes at different levels — U17’s, U21’s and first team football. I look forward to seeing what he can produce over his career, and what type of player he becomes.
