NIGERIA’s hope of luring Arsenal star, Ethan Nwaneri, to dump Three Lions for the Super Eagles could be about to go up in smokes with the English gaffer, Thomas Tuchel, set to name his squad for the forthcoming internationals next month.
Nwaneri has been fantastic since gaining a regular spot in Arsenal’s lineup following the absence of the injured Bukayo Saka.
He dazzled fans once again on Tuesday, scoring one goal in the Gunner’s 7-1 demolition of PSV in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
According to talkSPORT presenter, Adrian Durham, it would be a “sackable offence” for Tuchel not to call up Nwaneri.
Tuchel will pick his first England squad next month as he takes over the national team. “It came after the youngster has been on a steep upward trajectory at the club, playing more regularly in the absence of the injured Bukayo Saka.
“Tuesday evening marked Nwaneri’s second Champions League goal so far this season, adding to his three in the Premier League and three in the League Cup.
“It’s good timing too, as new England boss, Thomas Tuchel will select his first squad next week with the emergence of talented youngsters like Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly on his radar.”
England will face Albania and Latvia at Wembley Stadium on March 21 and 24 as part of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Speaking on Nwaneri’s talent, Durham said on talkSPORT: “He is so good, and Arteta I think has alluded to his belief that Nwaneri can play in the middle, but maybe that’s to come.
“I think it’s a sackable offence if Thomas Tuchel doesn’t put him in the England squad, right?” he said.
Fellow talkSPORT pundit Scott Minto added that he has been “one of the best players in the Premier League right now” for an Arsenal side who have struggled in front of goal lately.
“He’s arguably on form, Arsenal’s best player who is challenging for the title or trying to. He is just something special, so I want to see him and Lewis-Skelly in the first England squad of Thomas Tuchel.”
Danny Murphy echoed that sentiment on White and Jordan, adding: “The football maturity he’s shown in recent months is well ahead of his time and very few players at that age show that capability.
“I think (an England call-up) would probably be deserved. The reality is what Tuchel has to do now is not think about the here and now, it’s more about who he thinks is going to be impactful and who he’s going to exclude.
“You don’t have to play him, you don’t have to necessarily give him minutes, but get him used to it and get him around it.
“On the flip side to that, if he thinks it is a bit early and wants to see a bit more and doesn’t want to put that pressure on him, I don’t think that’s a bad thing either.”
Speaking after the record-breaking victory, midfielder Declan Rice said: “He’s 17 years old and he’s on the biggest stage. We’ve taken [the youngsters] under our wing and they deserve to be playing.
“You should see them train the way they have no fear and want to perform.
“Even if Saka was here, Ethan would still be getting minutes because he’s that good and works so hard in training. We have so many top young players.”
Arteta added that nothing “needs pushing” on the young star as he was happy with his progress already.
“I’m really impressed with the way he behaved and the way he played. It’s about consistency and now doing it again three days later in another big stadium” the Arsenal boss added.
His appearance on Tuesday night made him just the third English player to start in a knockout stage game in the competition while under the age of 18, after Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.
He also became the third youngest player to score a goal in a knockout stage match in the competition after Bojan in April 2008 (17 and 217 days) and Bellingham in April 2021 (17 and 289 days).