Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has hailed Ethan Nwaneri as “pure talent” and one of the best 17-year-olds he has ever seen.
Nwaneri continued his remarkable rise on Saturday by scoring his first Premier League goal as Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest.
The goal added to the three the teenager has scored for the Gunners in the Carabao Cup this season.
Calafiori believes the best is yet to come from Nwaneri and he has been impressed after the midfielder broke into Arsenal’s first-team squad this season.
“I’m really happy for him,” he said. “He really deserved it. For me, he is a pure talent and for sure you will see more from him on the pitch.
“Yes [senior players are helping him settle], but they (young players) don’t even need it because they feel a part of us from the first day. I felt the same when I came here. This is our secret.”
Asked if he has seen or played with a 17-year-old like Nwaneri, Calafiori replied: “No, I don’t think so. I’ve never seen it. He can be really good.”
Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest was a vital one for them as they look to keep pace with Premier League leaders Liverpool.
It ended a run of four league games without a victory and Calafiori believes they can string some wins together now.
“It was an amazing performance by everyone and the energy as well was unbelievable,” he said. “We really enjoyed the game.
“Honestly all season has been like this, we’re prepared for this. We don’t really look at the standings right now. We just want to win as many games as possible.
“The season is so long. You cannot just think about it now. From my side, I only think about winning the next game and the whole team has the same idea as me.”
Arsenal have been boosted by the return of captain Martin Odegaard, who shone on Saturday in what was his first appearance at Emirates Stadium since August.
“You can feel it when he’s missing,” said Calafiori. “He gives us a lot of energy and quality.
“I can’t tell you one thing but you can feel it whether he is on or off the pitch. When he’s missing we feel it.
“Him and Bukayo [Saka], what they did tonight was unbelievable. It’s good to have them back.”
Arsenal also kept a first clean sheet in the Premier League since the middle of September, when they won at Tottenham.
Calafiori, who was making his first appearance since October after being out with a knee injury, was key to that and during the win over Forest he celebrated one vital interception as if he had just scored.
“When you cannot score this is your goal, your way to score,” he said. “I really enjoyed being on the pitch, I missed this feeling and my team-mates a lot.
“I want to enjoy everything from now on. It was not easy [being injured], but as I said before, tonight was amazing. The way we started, the energy the fans give me, the team-mates help me a lot. I give my energy as well to the game.”
