Mikel Arteta reveals why Ethan Nwaneri missed out at Newcastle

Mikel Arteta has explained the squad management decisions that will see players, such as Ethan Nwaneri, miss out throughout the season.

Mikel Arteta has opened up about the difficult squad selection decisions that led to Ethan Nwaneri being omitted from Arsenal’s matchday squad for their dramatic 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder travelled with the squad to the northeast but was not named on the teamsheet, despite being a regular in matchday squads this season.

Speaking following the comeback win, Arteta revealed that he has held meetings with all players to discuss the rotation challenges Arsenal will face throughout the campaign. “Yeah, I talked to all the players and we had a meeting specifically about that and the scenarios that we’re going to have throughout the season,” the Gunners boss explained. “Some of them are going to start, some of them are going to finish the game, some of them are going to be on the bench and won’t be participating and some of them unfortunately are going to be out of the squad because with the Premier League you have the limitation with the numbers.”

Nwaneri has enjoyed a meteoric rise through Arsenal’s Hale End academy since joining the club at the age of eight. He became the youngest player in Premier League history when he made his debut against Brentford in September 2022, aged just 15 years and 181 days. The Englishman enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024/25, making 37 appearances across all competitions and scoring nine goals, including strikes in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup.

Nwaneri played the full 90 minutes against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup just days before the Newcastle fixture, which may have influenced Arteta’s decision to rest the teenager. Arsenal named 15-year-old Max Dowman on the bench instead, but the youngster has also been excluded from squads this season.

Arteta emphasised that the players have responded positively to these rotation discussions, adding: “The attitude of every player, because we have explained them and personally they know how we feel about it, has been really good and they will have the chances to play”.

The decision comes at a time when Arsenal are managing several injury concerns, with Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Piero Hincapie all currently sidelined. Once these players return to full fitness, squad selection will become even more challenging for Arteta, who must balance Premier League title ambitions with a deep Champions League run.

Nwaneri signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal in August 2025, committing his future to the club and taking the number 22 shirt for the 2025/26 season. The Hale End graduate made history last season by becoming Arsenal’s youngest-ever hat-trick scorer and the youngest player to score in consecutive Champions League matches, netting against both Girona and PSV Eindhoven.

Arsenal will return to action on Wednesday evening when they host Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League, with kick-off at 20:00. The fixture could provide Nwaneri with an opportunity to showcase his talents once more, as Arteta is expected to rotate his team ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against West Ham United.