‘I tried to copy him’… Ethan Nwaneri says £55m Arsenal rival was actually his idol growing up

Although he needed to be patient after making his debut at the age of 15-years-old, Ethan Nwaneri is now finally getting the chance to showcase his ability at Arsenal.

Nwaneri became Arsenal’s youngest ever debutant in 2022, replacing Fabio Vieira during a convincing Premier League win away to Brentford.

Now 17, Nwaneri is back on the Arsenal scene and the youngster has lit up the Emirates Stadium of late.

Fortunately, Nwaneri is coming through at a similar time to Myles Lewis-Skelly is also being handed a chance by Mikel Arteta, with both definitely equipped to succeed.

Nwaneri is currently away with England under-19s, an age category he may not represent for too much longer should he get more chances in an Arsenal shirt in the weeks and months to come.

Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri says Kevin De Bruyne was his idol

That being said, Nwaneri’s first time minutes have partly come because of an injury to his captain, Martin Odegaard.

Odegaard won’t return until either November or December, depending on which timeline you believe.

Incidentally, Arsenal have just shared a chat between Odegaard and Nwaneri that seemingly took place during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

Moreover, as part of their back and forth, Odegaard actually asked Nwaneri who was his footballing idol growing up.

And whilst Odegaard chose a few legendary Arsenal players from the past, Nwaneri actually named a Manchester City star, Kevin De Bruyne.

The 17-year-old said he loved De Bruyne’s passing style, traits that he tried to emulate in his own game.

Nwaneri said: “I think growing up my idol was definitely De Bruyne. The way that he plays, his passing style, like when I was young I tried to copy what he was doing.”

Nwaneri will be hoping to dethrone De Bruyne and Man City

Of course, Nwaneri will actually be hoping to give De Bruyne a disappointing Premier League send off this season, if it is to be the Belgian’s last campaign in England.

Given his pivotal role for Man City, De Bruyne is now a direct rival of Arsenal’s, a player who has already helped foil two serious title-bids in north London.

Nwaneri will certainly be hoping that he can make a difference this season, helping to bring the Premier League trophy to N5.

That being said, Ray Parlour thinks a different Arsenal midfielder could be crucial in that regard, someone who actually reminds him of Martin Keown.