Riccardo Calafiori has only known Ethan Nwaneri for four months.

However, the full back is convinced that the most talented 17-year-old he has encountered is the most recent academy graduate to have Arsenal supporters ecstatic.

On Saturday, Nwaneri accomplished the feat of becoming Arsenal’s second youngest Premier League goalscorer by scoring the third goal. This performance demonstrated that it is premature to dismiss their title prospects.

And although Mikel Arteta is enthusiastic about regulating expectations and preventing the teenager from being overexposed to too much too soon, Calafiori was unable to identify a juvenile player with the same level of talent.

The Italy defender responded, “I don’t believe so.” “I have never encountered it.” He has the potential to be exceptionally talented. I am exceedingly pleased for him. He was truly deserving of it. He is a genuine talent in my opinion, and it is inevitable that he will continue to impress on the field.

In the 81st minute, Nwaneri, who joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of eight, replaced captain Martin Odegaard, with the outcome nearly assured and some home supporters contemplating a swift exit. However, his fearless determination to advance was immediately accompanied by a newfound sense of exhilaration.

Arteta stated, “You can feel the energy and the enthusiasm of the crowd as they watch this child play.”

The Arsenal manager later stated that he is “always tempted” to include Nwaneri in his starting XI, but he is aware of the long-term and the need to safeguard him from overexposure before he is completely developed.

Arteta further stated, “I am accountable for establishing a career for him.” “That must be accomplished one brick at a time.” He placed an additional paver on Saturday. We must now apply an additional layer of cement, ensuring that it does not dry out. This will allow us to apply an additional layer of cement, which will adhere to the original.

“We then add another layer, another layer.” I assure you that it will not be feasible to arrange five consecutively. It is crucial that we not only manage his expectations but also his workload.

Equally Calafiori made it clear that Nwaneri’s ability to settle in with the experienced heads in the dressing room is a sign of his maturity. Then again, having made his debut as a substitute aged 15 Nwaneri is more familiar with the surroundings than half the current squad.

Senior players are always there to offer guidance, Calafiori said. “But he doesn’t even need it because he feels a part of us from the first day. I felt the same when I came here. This is our secret.”

Calafiori, meanwhile, declared himself delighted to be back in the fold after a month on the sidelines with a knee injury. He too has assimilated well to life in north London but is now desperate for a regular run in a defence that has been constantly tweaked because of absences.

“It was a tough time,” he said of his enforced break. And the joy at being back in the fold was evident when he celebrated disrupting a rare Forest counterattack with the passion of any goal nearing half-time.

“When you cannot score, this is your goal, your way to score,” he added. “I really enjoyed being on the pitch, I missed this feeling and my team-mates a lot. I want to enjoy everything from now on.”