Former Arsenal man Jermaine Pennant has told Football FanCast that Mikel Arteta could face issues if he relies too much on Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly during the business end of the Premier League season.

Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly now first-team regulars

Lewis-Skelly is now a regular name on the teamsheet for the Gunners, with the 18-year-old featuring in nine of the last ten Premier League games, most notably scoring the third goal in the 5-1 demolition of Manchester City at the beginning of February.

Despite being just 17, Nwaneri has also made 15 Premier League appearances this season, receiving increased game time amid the absence of Bukayo Saka, and the teenager has picked up two goals and one assist in his last four matches.

Breaking into the Arsenal first team at such a young age is no mean feat, and the duo’s performances indicate they could go on to be key players for Arteta in the years to come, but there are some concerns about their suitability for a title race.

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ByEmilio Galantini Feb 18, 2025 Pennant skeptical about relying on youth

Speaking to Football Fancast, Pennant, who came through at Highbury at a similar age, has suggested it may be unwise to depend on the academy graduates as we enter the business end of the season, despite how highly he rates the pair.

West Ham (h)

February 22nd

Nottingham Forest (a)

February 26th

Man United (a)

March 9th

Chelsea (h)

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April 1st

Arteta’s side have a tough run of fixtures coming up, while they are also still to play Liverpool and Newcastle United in May, so it is understandable to have concerns about relying on young players.

However, the “fearless” duo have proven they can handle big matches already, setting a new record after both scoring in the 5-1 victory against Man City.

The potential return of Saka next month will allow Arteta to be a little less reliant on Nwaneri, but as suggested by Pennant, the lack of experience can also be a positive.

Having been uninvolved in the previous two title races, the young duo are less likely to be inhibited by the fear of failure, and they will be full of confidence after both putting in top-drawer performances against City earlier this month.