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Manchester City youngster James McAtee has expressed his admiration for Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri after witnessing his impressive performances with England’s Under-21 squad.
Nwaneri, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Arsenal, has made a name for himself in both the Premier League and the Champions League. While some believed he was unlucky to miss out on a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s senior England squad, the 17-year-old made a strong statement with his display for Lee Carsley’s U21 side.
Making his first start against Portugal, Nwaneri delivered a standout performance, capping it off with a sublime goal. The teenager showcased his trademark skill, cutting in from the right on his left foot before curling a superb strike into the far corner.
McAtee, who was left in awe of Nwaneri’s ability, praised the youngster’s impact in training.
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“He’s a class player, and in training, he’s been unbelievable,” McAtee told Mail Sport in Lorient. “I’m so impressed with him. I was doing finishing drills with him the other day, and he was ridiculous—he wasn’t missing!
Ethan Nwaneri (Image credit: Getty Images)“I was struggling to get them in, and he just wasn’t missing, with both feet as well. He’s a world-class player.”
With his international duty wrapped up, Nwaneri now shifts his focus back to club football with Arsenal. However, he will also have one eye on this summer’s European Under-21 Championship.
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Given the significant amount of football Nwaneri has played this season, England U21 manager Lee Carsley hinted that careful consideration would be given to his involvement in the tournament.
“What an impression he’s made,” Carsley said. “It’s important that we look after him and make sure that going to the tournament in the summer is the right decision.
“We’ll obviously work with Arsenal and ensure that we’re on the same page.”
With Nwaneri continuing to impress for both club and country, his rapid rise shows no signs of slowing down.
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