SETTABLOID

Ethan Nwaneri and Mikey Moore could be ready for big seasons of senior football after their performances for England this week. The Arsenal and Tottenham duo shone at the U17 European Championships despite England’s quarter-final defeat against Italy.

Nwaneri scored a stunning goal against the Italians, assisted by a driving run and expert pass by Moore. The latter slalomed beyond several Italy defenders before setting up Nwaneri, who curled a stunning left-footed effort into the top corner.

The goal gave England the lead after just 16 minutes, and the positive start suggested the Young Lions may go on to win comfortably. However, Italy equalised through Mattia Liberali in the 29th minute and, in familiar Euros agony for England, they went on to win on penalties.

But the performances of Nwaneri and Moore are likely to get fans excited about the upcoming Premier League season. The attacking duo can save their respective clubs millions in the upcoming transfer window by bursting onto the scene next term.

Nwaneri’s strike against Italy came just days after Moore’s own sumptuous effort against Spain. He collected Christian McFarlane’s pass, took a touch inside and curled the ball into the top corner.

Still only 16, Moore is regarded as one of England’s brightest prospects. Despite an injury-hit campaign, he capped some fine form for Spurs’ U18s and U21s by making his senior debut against Manchester City earlier this month.

Moore then played again in the final-day victory over Sheffield United. First-team involvement was a reward for an impressive record of 14 goals in 12 appearances in the U18 Premier League. Ange Postecoglou insisted that Moore had not looked out of place when he trained with the senior side, which became a regular occurrence in the final months of the campaign.

Academy manager Simon Davies has called for caution on Moore. “It’s encouraging that the manager sees something in Mikey but it is just potential at the moment,” Davies told the Evening Standard.

Tottenham’s Mikey Moore is considered one of England’s brightest talents (Imag

He’s a 16-year-old boy. He’s not 17 until August, so he’s a young boy with high potential. We have several of them in the academy.

“It’s exciting for the academy to have a player so young on the bench. But we have to stay calm and consistent. Because at the moment, it is just [potential].”

But there might be little stopping fans from getting excited about Nwaneri and Moore.

Arsenal are already planning for the summer transfer window at the Emirates Stadium, with the window set to open in a few weeks time.

Just yesterday, RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko has emerged as Mikel Arteta’s top target with the player himself also making a big Arsenal decision. With numerous updates on the 21-year-old emerging, the Gunners are said to be preparing a £45million offer, which is £10million below his release clause.

Alongside Sesko, Ferdi Kadioglu, Justin Bijlow, Alexander Isak, Amadou Onana, Youssouf Fofana and Quilindschy Hartman are just a few other names being linked to an Emirates Stadium switch. In addition, negotiations for midfielder Martin Zubimendi are reported to have stalled.

In terms of potential exits, Oleksandr Zinchenko is the latest name to be looked at with Bayern Munich said to be watching on. Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappe continues to dominate headlines with the expectation he announces his new club in the next few days.

Mikel Arteta and his team will want to pick up some silverware after going trophyless in the last two campaigns. The Champions League may not be the easiest route to a trophy, but it is the biggest of them all.

Arsenal are reportedly ready to abandon their pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi due to stalled negotiations. The Spanish player has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium and is believed to be Mikel Arteta’s primary target for the upcoming summer transfer window.

Despite interest in a January transfer, Zubimendi remained in Spain. However, there were reports that a deal could be finalised ahead of next season as Arteta aims to strengthen his midfield for another Premier League title challenge.

Arsenal are known to be big fans of Zubimendi, but they may withdraw from negotiations unless progress is made soon. According to HITC, the deal has been on hold in recent weeks, with Arsenal becoming increasingly frustrated over the lack of advancement in discussions with the player’s representatives.

It’s understood that Zubimendi is still at the top of Arteta’s wishlist, with the Arsenal boss firmly believing the midfielder would seamlessly slot into the squad for the upcoming campaign. The Gunners are apparently ready to trigger his £51million release clause, yet Zubimendi hasn’t signalled a definitive yes to the switch.

Arsenal are keen to finalise the deal swiftly and have made it clear to the player that they’ll look elsewhere if an agreement isn’t reached soon. Last month, Zubimendi downplayed the transfer talk in an interview with Marca, saying, “They are just rumours, I am happy at Real Sociedad, it is like my home.

“I cannot say that I will play my entire career at Real Sociedad, perhaps the club won’t want me to continue in the future, but I do not concern myself with these rumours,” reports the Express.

Arsenal youngsters are shining at the 2024 UEFA U17 European Championship in Cyprus.

The Gunners have some of the best young talents in the world, and several of them are representing their countries at the latest U17 Euros.

Two players have stood out in the competition so far, with Ethan Nwaneri demonstrating why he is so highly rated with an impressive set of performances for England.

He scored the Three Lions’ goal in their 1-1 draw against Italy in the quarterfinals of the competition, marking his third strike of the tournament.

Unfortunately, the goal was not enough as England crashed out of the quarterfinals on penalties.

Chido Obi-Martin has also been in fantastic form for Denmark, scoring their equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Czechia.

The youngster then scored his penalty as Denmark qualified for the semifinal, where they will face Italy, according to Arsenal Media.

Just Arsenal Opinion

Nwaneri and Obi-Martin are two of the brightest prospects on our team, and we expect them to develop into some of the finest players in the Premier League.

Nwaneri has already played for the first team, and Obi-Martin will be eager to follow in his footsteps in the coming months.

Arsenal-linked Johan Bakayoko has left the door open to a potential departure from PSV Eindhoven but insists that he isn’t actively looking for a move.

The Belgian attacker has courted speculation over his future in Holland with Premier League clubs said to be circling. Among them are Arsenal and Liverpool with the latter said to be eyeing a move for the 21-year-old as a replacement for star forward, Mohamed Salah.

Bakayoko earned a call-up to Domenico Tedesco’s provisional squad for the European Championships, in Germany, this summer after helping PSV to the Eredivisie summit. The forward netted 14 goals and as many assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.

Reports in Holland emerged in recent weeks, namely from Het Belang van Limburg, that Arsenal have approached the forward over a possible transfer this summer. Mikel Arteta has struggled for a consistent front three with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard selected in the wide positions.

The 21-year-old has dismissed claims that he was close to leaving last summer but says his focus is on this summer’s competition in Germany – despite admitting he is a fan of the Premier League.

“I didn’t talk about leaving so I didn’t understand why people were saying: ‘Oh, why didn’t he move?’ There was no option of leaving,” he told The Athletic. “But that’s part of football. People give their opinion.

“But this season I haven’t even talked about leaving. I was just thinking about preparing for the Euros, just trying my best to be fit.”