Arsenal icon explains why he DOESN’T want Ethan Nwaneri to get England call-up

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

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has concerns over Ethan Nwaneri being picked for England in the upcoming international break.

Thomas Tuchel will select his first England squad since taking the reins at St George’s Park and will name those selected on Friday. The ex-Chelsea manager has made a 55-man longlist that will be whittled down for fixtures against Albania and Latvia.

Nwaneri, 17, has impressed for the Gunners since Tuchel’s appointment and, despite being carefully managed by Mikel Arteta, injuries have ensured the youngster has enjoyed plenty of time on the pitch in north London. Regardless of his talents, Keown is wary of placing an even greater load upon the academy product.

The 58-year-old is cautious of overworking a player who is still phyiscally developing. He believes the international break could instead offer an important period of rest for the prodigious talent, who made his Premier League debut at 15.

“There’s a chance [Nwaneri] may make the international team,” TNT pundit Keown said. “That’s a concern, that’s a worry. You take it if it comes but if it doesn’t, then he gets a nice bit of time with the manager, resting up between games so there’s a balance.

“It does one thing for confidence but another for the body. When you’re 17, you’re not even fully developed in terms of your cardiovascular system. You’re not really a man yet.

“There’s still some growing to do, and recently he has looked tired, like he was blowing, and this is normal for a 17-year-old kid. So it might be a time where he needs resting. And if he doesn’t make the full squad, does he need to be involved in the U21s?This has got to be sensibly managed between now and the end of the season.”

Keown has fewer concerns over Arsenal’s other breakout talent, Myles Lewis-Skelly. The ex-Everton and Aston Villa player reckons the 18-year-old ace has earned it playing as a full-back under Arteta, even with some concern over his disciplinary record in games.

Keown said: “He’s had some issues, but in terms of physicality, he’s ready to go. He looks like he could play and there’s a problem at left-back for England.

“He’s different [to Nwaneri], more developed. I wouldn’t say he’s a freak of nature, but when you see the strength in him, he is all about power. So he is not going to want to be denied the opportunity to play for England.”

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