Declan Rice sends message to Ethan Nwaneri after Arsenal latest, Saliba responds
Declan Rice responded to Ethan Nwaneri’s social media message after he played a crucial role in Arsenal’s hard-fought victory over Leicester City.
Arsenal left it late at the King Power Stadium but secured all three points with two late goals in what was a tense encounter against Leicester.
Nwaneri continues to impress at Arsenal as he steps up in the absence of Bukayo Saka, who remains sidelined. The 17-year-old delivered a decisive moment in the match, providing a pinpoint cross in the 81st minute that found Mikel Merino for the breakthrough goal.
The Spaniard then sealed the win with his second goal of the game, finishing off a swift counter-attack as Mikel Arteta’s side maintained pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Ethan Nwaneri has wowed Arsenal teammates with breakthrough
After the victory, Nwaneri shared a post on Instagram with a simple heart emoji, drawing plenty of attention from his teammates. Rice commented, “It’s getting silly” while William Saliba, Martin Odegaard, and Merino all showed their appreciation by liking the post.
With the Gunners dealing with a growing injury crisis, Nwaneri has been given more responsibility in the squad. The club is currently without key attacking players, including Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus, leaving Arteta with limited options.
Raheem Sterling has struggled to win over Arsenal fans since his loan move from Chelsea, but Nwaneri’s performances have provided a source of excitement for supporters. His display against Leicester was another sign of his potential, and with opportunities arising, he is proving to be an important asset.
Mikel Arteta relying on Ethan Nwaneri amid Arsenal’s injury problems
The youngster is enjoying a breakout season at Arsenal, having scored seven goals and provided one assist so far.
Despite making 23 Premier League appearances, he has only started four matches, with Arteta carefully managing his game time. Many Arsenal fans had urged the club to sign an attacking reinforcement in the January transfer window, but no new signings arrived.
The decision not to strengthen the squad became even more concerning when Martinelli suffered a hamstring injury shortly after the window closed, ruling him out for at least a month. Havertz then became the latest name added to the injury list, further depleting their attacking options.
Nwaneri’s versatility has been a major asset—he has already featured in four different positions for the club this season. His performance against Leicester showed he is capable of playing at the highest level, but with the squad stretched thin, Arteta will need to manage his minutes carefully to ensure he maintains his form and fitness.