With that has come hope — and possibly expectation — from some corners that a senior England call-up will be his reward. If Tuchel picks Nwaneri, it puts him in line to become England’s seventh-youngest player ever, with his 18th birthday falling on March 21, the day the national team hosts Albania at Wembley for a World Cup qualifier.

Mikel Arteta believes Ethan Nwaneri has taken a “big step” by being called up for England’s Under-21 squad and has backed him to thrive under “phenomenal coach” Lee Carsley. Nwaneri earned his first call-up to the England Under-21 squad on Friday after a breakthrough season with Arsenal.

Ethan Nwaneri has graduated to Arsenal's first team this season and rarely looked out of place but Martin Keown has concerns over the demands placed upon the teenager as he continues to rise

Arteta doesn't want to compare the pairs' journeys but is proud of 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly's maiden England senior call-up.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown is keen for Thomas Tuchel not to give Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri too much football too soon

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says England U21 selection for Ethan Nwaneri is a big step in the teen's career. Many have been calling for a senior call-up for the 17 year-old, but Arteta insists U21 selection remains a huge development.

Mikel Arteta has commented on the growing battle between Nigeria and England for 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, praising the midfielder's potential since joining Arsenal

Mikel Arteta hopes the rise of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly can be the rebirth of Arsenal having a British core in the squad. Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly have broken into the Arsenal first team this season, with the latter earning a call-up to the England squad on Friday morning.

Mikel Arteta said he was "proud" of Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly after the teenager was named in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad on Friday. The defender, who was not in the England squad announced on Friday,