Why Mikel Merino shouted at Ethan Nwaneri as Gabriel Jesus unlocks Arsenal potential

Nwaneri does it again

It’s amazing to see Ethan Nwaneri score that goal at just 17 years of age. Amazing to everyone at least except Mikel Arteta.

“He did it yesterday in training so we’re getting used to that,” the Spaniard revealed in his post-match press conference.

The 5,600 Arsenal fans are certainly enjoying seeing Nwaneri on a regular stage. Just two starts into his Gunners career he has a chant. After becoming the youngest player to score on both of his first two starts, you can hardly argue that isn’t deserved.

Astonishingly, Nwaneri now has more League Cup goals than Thierry Henry. The question is can he start adding Premier League strikes to his tally?

“He’s going to really dictate how that’s gonna go,” Arteta said. “He’s a big talent, he’s got the right attitude, he’s got the right players and context around him and we need to make sure that we build that brick by brick. But we have some player there!”

The 17-year-old did go down with cramp towards the end and that is perhaps the only thing holding him back from starting regularly. Arsenal will be desperate not to over-expose him and risk injuries that have blighted similar talents like Jack Wilshere in the past.

The Gunners senior players are also having to manage him through games. Even in a packed Deepdale, Mikel Merino could be heard bellowing instructions to Nwaneri on where to stand at a throw in. For now though, it’s all looking up for the Hale Ender. He’ll hope to ride this wave for as long as possible.

Jesus finally breaks his duck

When Gabriel Jesus last scored for Arsenal Rishi Sunak was prime minister, Roy Hodgson was still Crystal Palace manager and Ethan Nwaneri hadn’t signed a professional contract. Safe to say, it had been a long time coming.

The Brazilian took his goal like a man who hadn’t scored in a long time. Rather than caress Jakub Kiwior’s knockdown into the bench he absolutely hammered it home.

It’s not that Jesus has been playing badly for Arsenal this season. But in his previous starts it has felt that the lack of goals have been playing on his mind. Now with the weight lifted off his shoulders can he return to the player we saw at the start of his Arsenal career? Arteta certainly hopes so.

“I’m very happy, I think it’s going to unlock that (confidence) for him,” the Spaniard said. “He looked really happy. He’s performing with the right attitude as always but he needed that feeling that he can put the ball in the back of the net.”

In fairness to Jesus he has hardly started since January, and the injuries he’s had to deal haven’t exactly helped his scoring record. But with the belief that he knows where the back of the net is returned to him once again, the Brazilian will be hoping to add goals to an Arsenal attack that could always do with a bit more clinical edge.

Can Arteta finally win another trophy?

Arteta said that he admires Jose Mourinho before the game. We assume he wasn’t talking about the Portuguese boss’ tendency to count the Community Shield as a major trophy.

For most of us Arteta’s last honour came in his first season with the FA Cup triumph behind closed doors. By the end of this season that would have been five years ago.

Now though it seems he has a real chance at winning the Carabao Cup. Arsenal have got fortunate with their draws so far and that luck looks to have continued. Crystal Palace is probably the kindest opponent they could have got other than Southampton in the quarter-finals. Throw in the fact they’re at home and the Gunners will be strong favourites to make the semi-finals.

Manchester City are now out of the competition after being beaten by Tottenham. Conveniently for Arsenal, Spurs have now drawn Manchester United meaning one of the two other favourites will be out at the next round.

The biggest obstacle is likely to be Liverpool who continue to look strong under Arne Slot. Arsenal are now favourites for the Carabao Cup though. Arteta will be hoping he can finally end his trophy drought.