Joe Cole has warned Mikel Arteta that Ethan Nwaneri is in need of ‘protecting’ after Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Leicester City.
The Gunners kept their remote title hopes alive with a 2-0 win at the King Power Stadium thanks to two late goals from emergency striker Mikel Merino.
Arsenal looked set to drop two vital points but the Spain international’s dramatic rescue act has put a different complexion on the top of the table.
Although Merino played the decisive role, it was Nwaneri who picked up the man of the match award following another reputation enhancing display.
It was the first time Cole, who made a similar breakthrough as a 17-year-old at West Ham, had seen Nwaneri in the flesh and was so taken aback with what he saw that he even compared the teenager to Lionel Messi.
‘I love him,’ Cole told TNT Sports. ‘You know what, he’s a strong little thing as well, you can’t mark him because he can go both ways.
‘These touches he produces in and around the box, I don’t really want to say it but it’s like Messi.
‘I don’t want to put any more pressure on the kid’s shoulders but the touches he makes as he receives the ball on the back foot and then that little touch… he plays with such confidence but he’s just a beautiful player.’
Cole did, however, air a note of caution and urged Mikel Arteta not to overplay the youngster who has already suffered a muscle injury this season.
‘The one thing I’d just say is he’s already had a hamstring injury this year,’ Cole added.
‘Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have to protect him, they’re chasing the game now. I imagine there would’ve been conversations where we need to make sure he’s ready for next week. Maybe 60 minutes, 70 minutes.
‘You don’t want to get to a situation like with Michael Owen.’