Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has responded to Ethan Nwaneri being likened to Lionel Messi after his impressive display against Leicester City.
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Article continues below
Article continues below
- Nwaneri stars in Arsenal's win at Leicester
- Teenager likened to Argentine legend Messi
- Arteta responds to such comparisons
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The 17-year-old bagged an assist and put in an eye-catching performance in Arsenal's 2-0 win at Leicester on Saturday; prompting ex-Chelsea and Liverpool man Joe Cole to compare him to Messi, no less. But manager Arteta seemed to downplay such talk after the victory.
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WHAT JOE COLE AND MIKEL ARTETA SAID
Cole said on Nwaneri on : "These little touches in and around the box – I don't even want to say it, but it's like Lionel Messi. I don't want to put any more pressure on him, but the touches off the back foot entices the defender, then the touch off the toe to send him off balance. He plays with such confidence, a beautiful player. Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have to protect him, they would have liked him to only play 60, 70 minutes today."
And then in Arteta's post-match press conference, he responded to those Messi comparisons by saying: "Let him play. He's a massive threat, a massive talent."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Inter Miami star Messi is arguably the greatest footballer of all time so comparing him to Arsenal's teenager Nwaneri may not be the smartest move. He is certainly a big talent but it seems the Gunners are not getting carried away by his progress as they close to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
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WHAT NEXT?
Nwaneri will hope to star for Arsenal again when they host London neighbours West Ham in the Premier League next weekend.
