Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta used a unique building analogy to explain his plan for Ethan Nwaneri after the 17-year-old scored his first Premier League goal in Saturday's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Two years on from becoming the youngest player in Premier League history, Nwaneri is now a fully-fledged member of Arsenal's first team, but he is yet to start a Premier League match.
The England Under-19 international was overlooked for top-flight starts during Martin Odegaard's lengthy layoff with an ankle problem, and the return of the captain has added another obstacle to his route to the first XI.
However, Nwaneri made a telling contribution off the bench against Nuno Espirito Santo's side on Saturday, netting Arsenal's third and final goal of the game with a crisp first-time finish from Raheem Sterling's cutback.
In doing so, Nwaneri became the second-youngest player to score a Premier League goal for Arsenal at 17 years and 247 days, only behind Cesc Fabregas, who was 17 years and 113 days when he struck his first in the competition in 2004.
Arteta building up Nwaneri "brick by brick"
© Imago
Arteta resisted calls to start Nwaneri in the Premier League while Odegaard was sidelined, and speaking in his post-game press conference, he stressed the importance of building up the teenager "brick by brick".
"Look at the two players that you are throwing questions at," Arteta replied when asked about Nwaneri's game time during Odegaard's absence. "What I like is that he comes in, in that context, the first thing he does is take a touch, run forward, run past two players and put it inches away from the post.
"I understand that, I am responsible for him, and you have to do that brick by brick. Today he put in another brick, now we have to put the cement, make sure that it doesn't get dry, so that he can put in another one and another one and that one is going to stick.
"Then we put one more layer, we want to put five in a row. Believe me, it won't work and we have to manage that with his expectations and his load as well, which is really important."
Asked if he is resisting the urge to throw Nwaneri into the first XI, Arteta replied: "I am always tempted. It's giving us all the reason and today is another reason to put him there but that's when I play him and not somebody else. It's step-by-step, I would say."
Arteta offers to send MRI scan of Saka injury
© Imago
Before Nwaneri opened his Premier League account in the dying embers of Saturday's game, Arsenal had already built up a healthy lead over Forest through two stunning strikes from Bukayo Saka and another substitute in Thomas Partey.
Saka provided the assist for Partey's effort after his early opener, having made the first XI despite pulling out of the England squad through injury, alongside teammate Declan Rice and six players from rival teams.
Three Lions skipper Harry Kane expressed his belief that some clubs and players were "taking advantage" by pulling out, but Arteta had a strong message for those who suggested that Saka's injury was not severe enough for a withdrawal.
"We can send you an MRI scan! Very simple. But that's a communication, it was very clear between the medical staff of Arsenal and the national team. He hasn't done anything, he was away and he needed time to heal and had one training session," Arteta replied.
By ending their four-game winless run in the Premier League, Arsenal have moved to within one point of Manchester City - who suffered an embarrassing 4-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the evening kickoff - and six points of Liverpool in the top-flight table before the leaders face Southampton on Sunday.
The Gunners now prepare for their return to Champions League action away to Portuguese titans Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday night.
Ben Knapton
