Arsene Wenger compares Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri to Cesc Fabregas

When Arsene Wenger speaks about budding talent, the football world listens.

Wenger Sees Fabregas-like Spark in Arsenal Teen Sensation Nwaneri

The iconic former Arsenal manager, renowned for nurturing generational stars, has now drawn thrilling parallels between 17-year-old breakout star Ethan Nwaneri and club legend Cesc Fabregas, igniting excitement among Gunners faithful.

Nwaneri, whose meteoric rise has been one of this season’s standout stories, has seized his opportunity amid a cascade of injuries to key attackers like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli.

The teenager has already netted seven goals this campaign and cemented himself as a regular in Mikel Arteta’s squad, showcasing a maturity beyond his years.

His latest standout performance came in Arsenal’s 2-0 weekend win over Leicester City, where his composure and creativity stole the spotlight.

Wenger, who transformed Fàbregas into a global star after handing him a debut at just 17 in 2004, sees familiar traits in Nwaneri.

“He’s more a creator through his final ball, his dribbling, and the quality of his passing,” Wenger told beIN SPORTS, drawing direct comparisons to the Spanish maestro.

Host Richard Keys quickly highlighted the shared “special talent” both teens exhibited early on, prompting Wenger to reflect further.

“Fabregas was very strong mentally, but this boy looks as well,” Wenger said.

“When I look at him, his maturity—it’s difficult for me to think he’s 17.”

Keys echoed the sentiment, recalling Fabregas’s own precociousness, to which Wenger simply replied, “The sign of a special talent is that they are ready early.”

The praise carries weight. Fabregas became Arsenal’s youngest-ever Premier League player under Wenger and later captained the side before embarking on a decorated career.

Nwaneri, now following a similar trajectory, has already shattered records himself, becoming the Premier League’s youngest-ever player at 15 years and 181 days when Arteta handed him a debut in 2022.

Fans are buzzing over the teenager’s fearless style, blending slick footwork with visionary passes. Social media has erupted with clips of his Leicester performance, where he glided past defenders and linked play seamlessly.

Arteta, too, appears committed to nurturing his potential, integrating him into high-pressure fixtures despite his age.

For Wenger, the comparison isn’t just about skill—it’s about mentality.

“Special talents don’t wait,” he emphasized, a nod to both Fàbregas’s legacy and Nwaneri’s burgeoning promise.

As Arsenal chase silverware on multiple fronts, the teenager’s emergence offers a thrilling subplot: another Wenger-esque gem, ready to shine.

With the weight of expectation now on his shoulders, Nwaneri’s journey is just beginning. But if history is any guide, when Wenger spots a prodigy, greatness often follows.