Fabregas had a word with Nwaneri, other Arsenal U18 players before North London derby

Arsenal U18 boss Jack Wilshere has confirmed that Gunners legend Cesc Fàbregas had a word with the Arsenal U18 players, including England youth international of Nigerian descent Ethan Nwaneri, before they stepped out on to the pitch for the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

The Gunners thrashed Spurs 4-1, with Omari Benjamin (3) and Nwaneri on target for the home team, while Anglo-Nigerian starlet Damola Ajayi pulled a goal back for Tottenham Hotspur.

Twenty minutes from time, Nwaneri converted from inside the box to restore Arsenal's three-goal cushion and came close to adding to the scoreline in the closing minutes but saw his effort hit the woodwork.

Wilshere explained post-match that Nwaneri, who is predominantly an attacking midfielder, was deployed as a false nine against Tottenham so he can overload the Gunners midfield.

The Arsenal manager revealed that he arranged for Fàbregas to speak to the Arsenal U18s players in a video message to tell them about the importance of the north London derby.

"Ever since we spoke last week, I was thinking about the best way to do it because I think it's important that the boys know what this means to the club," Wilshere said to arsenal.com.

"I think it's important that we tell them that now so that when they get to the first team they already know. A lot of them already know  because they've played in the academy, they're Arsenal fans.

"Cesc was someone who taught me a lot about this game. I knew about it growing up,coming to Highbury and watching it. I used to watch Cesc and there was one game he scored just after kickoff.

"You see it in his eyes, the passion. He taught me that Cesc and I wanted to show them that and get a message from him. He was brilliant.

"The boys were a bit shocked but they were up for it after that."

Nwaneri has made nine appearances for Arsenal U18s while still a schoolboy and has notched four goals.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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