'It was a very proud moment': Per Mertesacker details impact of Nwaneri's debut on Arsenal academy

Per Mertesacker details impact of Nwaneri's debut on Arsenal academy

Speaking to Arsenal's official website, Per Mertesacker said: "I have to say how much it trickled down. I've seen videos of the under-9, under-10 squads cheering Ethan Nwaneri on at Hale End when he came on.

"Players that would start the same journey as he did, in the grassroots academy, were cheering him on. So all of a sudden he has been escalated to be a role model and a positive influence for young players.

"It's just brilliant to see, that's what we are proud of, we can show progress, we can show pathways. It was a very proud moment, for himself and his family. It's a reflection as well of what this club is about, what the academy is about."

Nwaneri became the youngest-ever player to feature in the Premier League after making his Arsenal debut in the 3–0 win against Brentford earlier this month.

Mertesacker, who has been working at the club's academy since retiring from football in 2018, clearly had a word with Mikel Arteta about the 15-year-old.

Source: Arsenal.com
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