Martin Odegaard has hailed the ‘unbelievable’ Ethan Nwaneri having taken the Arsenal sensation under his wing.
Nwaneri broke records when he made his first-team debut for the Gunners at the age of just 15 and has broken into the first-team side this season.
While he is still waiting for his first Premier League start, the 17-year-old has shone in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup run, scoring three times in two appearances.
He will find himself competing with or playing alongside Gunners captain Odegaard who was himself playing first-team football at 15, joining Real Madrid a year later.
Having shared a similar journey, Odegaard has been impressed with Nwaneri’s ability to take it all in his stride, believing he is already operating at a top level.
‘Obviously it was a big change for me to go to Madrid at 16 years old and I was still a baby when I look back now,’ Odegaard said.
‘I think I just learned what it feels to be a young player in a senior squad and it’s not always the most easy thing, so that’s something I keep in mind now when younger players are coming up to the first team. I know how they feel and just try to help them as much as possible.
‘I have been trying to help him (Nwaneri) in many different ways. I think for a young player, sometimes it is just to help him to be himself and feel natural, and don’t be like too much on him.
‘I think everyone can see the qualities he has and for him it is just about showing that and enjoying and keep improving all the time.
‘He is doing amazing. I think, for his age, to play the way he plays, with such confidence, with such enthusiasm, eagerness to get on the ball and always show his quality.
‘I am really, really happy for him and proud of him for what he is doing and I am sure there’s a lot more to come because he is a good boy with a good mentality. He will just get better and better.
‘I don’t want to put too much pressure and too big words on him, but he is an unbelievable player already. I don’t think there’s any reason to speak about the talent because everyone can see that..’