Oleksandr Zinchenko has issued his verdict on Arsenal youngsters Ethan Nwaneri, Lino Sousa and Reuell Walters, with the trio all in the squad to face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Zinchenko speaking at the pre-match press conference (in comments reported via the club’s official online website) as the Gunners look to end their crusade at the organisational level in style.
With Arsenal already in the knockout stage and securing top spot in their group, Mikel Arteta has the chance to make some changes.
And 3 of those who have travelled to Eindhoven are Ethan Nwaneri, Lino Sousa and Reuell Walters.
Nwaneri, of course, was the youngest player in Premier League history when he made his debut last season. Meanwhile, Sousa and Walters are among those knocking on London Colney’s door, waiting for his senior greetings.
Obviously, there is a perfect opportunity to use them tonight. But Oleksandr Zinchenko has suggested that the trio absolutely deserve their chance if it comes against PSV.
“They’re incredible. I see them almost every day on training ground, the way they work out and work, they really deserve this chance and we’ll be able to see them on the field very, very soon,” he said.
“For me, when I was younger and I was given recommendations, I appreciated it a lot. We are all others and we react to conditions in other ways, maybe someone might think that if someone is looking to teach you, maybe I think they are above them or whatever, however, I reacted to those kinds of recommendations in a very positive way because when someone recommends you with more experience, that means he’s attentive and takes his time for you, which is why I’m open to anyone younger than me or not.
“Even at 26 years old, I don’t hesitate to ask Jorginho or more experienced players for advice. “
Of course, Arsenal would love to qualify for the round of 16 with some other win to their name. However, the priority will have to be to finish tonight’s game without any of their key players getting injured.
With that, it would be sensible to use Nwaneri, Sousa and Walters at some point.
Nwaneri will certainly be someone to keep an eye on given his five goals for the U-21 team this weekend. Arsenal haven’t looked brilliant this season. Then he possibly feels that there is a possibility of sending a message to Arteta in this other role.
In the meantime, Sousa could put some pressure on Zinchenko. Unfortunately, the left-back position has been a weakness for Arsenal in recent times. Again, Arteta probably wouldn’t need to rule anything out as he tries to find a solution.