Arsenal boss Arteta break silence on Nwaneri's international future amid Nigeria v England tug-of-war

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his support for Ethan Nwaneri potentially being called up to the England national team, though he emphasized that the decision lies with England manager Thomas Tuchel and his coaching staff.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Manchester United, Arteta was asked whether he expects the two young talents to be on England’s radar.

"I have no idea other than what I’ve read and heard the noise around it," Arteta was quoted as saying by Arsenal's official website.

"Thomas and his coaches will take the decision, and we will support it."

Both Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly have been making waves in Arsenal’s youth setup, with Nwaneri in particular catching attention after his impressive performances for the first team.

The 17-year-old midfielder recently made headlines with a goal in Arsenal’s dominant 7-1 Champions League win against PSV, fueling calls for him to receive an England senior team call-up.

Nwaneri is eligible to represent both Nigeria and England at the international level, making his future a subject of keen interest.

When asked if such an opportunity would benefit the young players at this stage of their careers, Arteta expressed confidence in England’s coaching environment.

"Knowing Thomas and his coaching staff and the environment they have created in the England camp, I think it would be an incredible experience for them if that is the case, whenever that is," he said.

"That’s not my decision; how we manage him here is in our control, but there they will be coached by people that are super experienced, far more experienced than me!"

Arteta’s comments highlight Arsenal’s commitment to nurturing young talent while supporting their international ambitions.

With Nwaneri’s dual eligibility and Lewis-Skelly’s rapid development, their national team futures remain an intriguing prospect.

Wale Adejumo

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