Arsenal spent the last week in Dubai for some warm-weather training, and Declan Rice shared the pitch with young Ethan Nwaneri there.

The Gunners had a terrible end to 2023 and just as poor a start to 2024. They’ve won just one of their last seven games in all competitions, and things need to change. A good break in Dubai should help Arsenal, and it must have been a great experience for young Nwaneri too.

Arsenal’s academy has been producing some of the country’s finest talents in recent years.

Bukayo Saka is the standout example. The young Englishman has been unbelievable over the last few seasons and he is now one of the best players in the Premier League.

There are many more young talents coming through the ranks at Hale End, and young Ethan Nwaneri is arguably the most exciting one of them all.

The 16-year-old became the youngest player to make a Premier League appearance in the history of the competition last season, and he has a massive future ahead of him.

He has often trained with the first team and was called up by Mikel Arteta for the trip to Dubai as well, where he trained alongside stars like Declan Rice.

The 25-year-old seems impressed with Nwaneri adfter training with him. Rice has even called the youngster his ‘Lil Bro’ on Instagram now.

Ethan Nwaneri is arguably Arsenal’s brightest young talent at the moment.

The midfielder, who is still just 16 years old, has been playing well beyond his years. He is a star already at academy level, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets regular opportunities in the first team.

It’s a shame Arsenal has been eliminated from both the FA Cup and the League Cup this season. This makes it harder for Mikel Arteta to provide opportunities for young players like Nwaneri in the coming months.

However, if the Gunners defeat Porto in the first leg of their Champions League match, the Arsenal manager may offer Nwaneri a chance in the second game.

In either case, 2024 has a good possibility of becoming his breakout year.