Joe Cole was very impressed by Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri after the 17-year-old shone in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Leicester City.
Nwaneri played the full 90 minutes at the King Power Stadium, where he completed more dribbles and attempted more shots than any other player.
He also provided an assist for the first of Mikel Merino’s two goals.
Former Chelsea winger Cole and ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown were both full of praise for Nwaneri as they spoke on TNT Sports after the final whistle.
Cole went as far as likening Nwaneri to Lionel Messi.
Presenter Lynsey Hipgrave began the conversation by asking Keown and Cole: ‘If he’s this good at 17, how good can he be?’
Ethan Nwaneri (centre) played the full 90 minutes as Arsenal won 2-0 at Leicester City
TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole (pictured) was full of praise for the 17-year-old Arsenal starlet
Cole went as far as likening Nwaneri to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi (pictured)
Keown replied: ‘This young man, I thought he was immense. Coming in off the line, he’s so confident. He steps into the ball, he’s aggressive when he travels with it.’
‘This young man, I thought he was immense, coming in off the line. He’s so confident, he steps into the ball, Joe, he’s aggressive when he travels with it.’
‘He’s so assured. For such a young man, he steps in and makes the right pass. His decision-making is different class.’
Cole added: ‘Yeah, decision-making. He’s a strong little thing as well. Left foot, right foot. You can’t mark him because he can go both ways.’
Reviewing footage of Nwaneri close ball control, Cole continued: ‘These touches he produces, in and around the box, little tiny touches… I don’t want to say it, but it’s like Messi. I’ve said it, I’ve said it.
‘I don’t want to put any more pressure on the kid’s shoulders. I’m sure he’d deal with it. But the touches he makes as he receives the ball off the back foot, entices the defender, and then a little touch off the top of the toe to put him off balance…
‘He plays with such confidence. And he’s just a beautiful player.’
Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history in September 2022 when he made his debut at the age of 15 years and 181 days. He has since racked up 17 top-flight appearances, scoring three goals.
