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Why Is Ethan Nwaneri Not Allowed In Arsenal's Dressing Room? Why Is Ethan Nwaneri Not Allowed In Arsenal's Dressing Room?

Premier League

Why Is Ethan Nwaneri Not Allowed In Arsenal’s Dressing Room?

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Mikel Arteta has announced that 17-year-old talent Ethan Nwaneri remains unable to train with the senior Arsenal team because of safeguarding concerns.

The youngest player in Premier League history, Nwaneri has enjoyed a first-team role this season and has stepped up to help cover for Bukayo Saka’s injury absence.

He has three goals in his last five games across all competitions, including scoring in the 5-1 thumping of Manchester City at the weekend.

Although Nwaneri’s involvement with the squad is growing, he is not allowed to get ready for matches in the Arsenal dressing room. Premier League safeguarding regulations require that players under 18 must change for games separately from the senior team.

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Wary of making Nwaneri feel like an outsider in the squad, Arteta has hailed close friend Myles Lewis-Skelly, who only turned 18 in September, for helping bridge the gap.

“When you see those two walking next to each other, talking to each other, there is a bond there and a chemistry there,” Arteta said of the two young stars.

“I imagine for them it is special because at the moment they are still in different dressing rooms.

“Ethan cannot be in our dressing room still, which is unbelievable. He needs to get dressed somewhere else, even on matchday.

“So to have somebody close to him that has that trust, that confidence, that link, I think it is lucky. They are very lucky to have each other.”

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Nwaneri will not be allowed to officially join the Arsenal dressing room until he turns 18 on March 21. Until then, he must continue changing away from his teammates.