Tuesday night turned out to be a thrilling surprise for Arsenal fans. After a couple of lackluster weeks, there were concerns that the match against PSV Eindhoven might be another underwhelming performance. However, Mikel Arteta’s squad shattered those doubts by putting seven past the Dutch giants. In the midst of this dominant display, Hale End prodigy Ethan Nwaneri once again stole the spotlight, showcasing his immense talent on the European stage.
The 17-year-old sensation has been a revelation this season, cementing himself as one of Arsenal’s most exciting players. Despite his age, Nwaneri has already made 27 first-team appearances this term, racking up 1,019 minutes on the pitch. During that time, he’s scored eight goals and provided one assist, averaging a goal involvement every 113 minutes. His ability to deliver in key moments, including back-to-back away Champions League goals, has left fans in awe.
However, as impressive as Nwaneri has been, another former Arsenal academy gem is outshining him this season: Michael Olise. Before moving to Chelsea’s youth setup, Olise briefly trained at Hale End. After stints at Reading and Crystal Palace, the Frenchman secured a blockbuster £50 million move to Bayern Munich last summer. Since then, he’s taken his game to another level, earning praise as "one of the best talents in the world."
This season, Olise has been nothing short of extraordinary. In 36 appearances for Bayern, he’s scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists, averaging a goal involvement every 94 minutes. His creativity, flair, and clinical finishing have made him a key player for the German giants. While Nwaneri’s future looks incredibly bright, Olise’s current form serves as a reminder of the talent Arsenal once had in their ranks.
In summary, Nwaneri’s rise has been one of the stories of Arsenal’s season, but Olise’s stellar performances at Bayern Munich highlight the Gunners’ missed opportunity to keep hold of a player who’s now thriving at the highest level. Both players exemplify the immense potential nurtured at Hale End, but for now, it’s Olise who’s setting the standard.
