Ethan Nwaneri was substituted late in Arsenal ’s defeat to West Ham on Saturday and asked if there was an injury concern, Mikel Arteta believed the youngster was just struggling with fatigue. It was a bad afternoon for the Gunners as they were beaten 1-0 at home by the Hammers, with Jarrod Bowen scoring the only goal of the game.

Arteta has been impressed by the midfielder’s development and believes the way to get the best out of the teenager is by giving him the licence to express himself. “It (Nwaneri’s development) is probably much faster than we all expected,” said Arteta.

Arteta has admitted that Nwaneri’s progression has been faster than anyone at Arsenal expected, and he has revealed the two things that have surprised him – confidence and decision-making. He said, as per the Evening Standard: “It (Nwaneri’s development) is probably much faster than we all expected.