Arsene Wenger believes Ethan Nwaneri is ready to play a starring role for Arsenal despite his tender years – just like Cesc Fabregas.

Nwaneri, 17, was Arsenal’s best performer in Saturday’s crucial 2-0 win over struggling Leicester City, setting up substitute Mikel Merino for the first of his two goals late in the game.

The Hale End graduate is set for a prominent role in Mikel Arteta’s team between now and the end of the season with Arsenal short on forwards. And he’s already been endorsed by Wenger, who remains a legendary figure at The Emirates.

He sees similarities between Nwaneri and Fabregas, who broke into the Frenchman’s team whilst still a teenager and went on to become the Gunners’ captain.

“Nwaneri is more a creator through his final ball, his dribbling and the quality of his passing,” Wenger said on beIN SPORTS before Richard Keys referenced Fabregas and the mental strength he showed after breaking through early. The Frenchman replied: “Yeah, of course, Fabregas was very strong mentally but this boy looks as well and when I look at him, his maturity, it’s difficult for me to think he’s 17 years old.”

Keys then chimed in again, saying: “But that was the case with Fabregas as well, wasn’t it, he was such a good player.”

Wenger answered: “Of course but the sign of a special talent is they are ready early.”

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While it remains to be seen if Nwaneri will grow in influence at the club like Fabregas did, his performance at the weekend has already enthused Mikel Arteta, who will now be without the services of Kai Havertz for the remainder of the season due to injury.

The Spaniard singled Nwaneri out post-match, saying of the teenager: “Every time he was on the ball he made things happen. He had another level of threat than the rest of the team.”

Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history two seasons ago when he featured for Arsenal at the age of just 15. He has gone from strength to strength since and has already made 24 appearances this season, scoring seven goals in total.

Arsenal remain seven points behind Liverpool at the Premier League summit but will have another opportunity to place pressure Arne Slot‘s men when they host struggling West Ham at The Emirates on Saturday.

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