Ethan Nwaneri Dortmund decision explained after Konstantinos Karetsas rushed to hospital

Ethan Nwaneri came off the bench to replace Konstantinos Karetsas(Image: EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Ethan Nwaneri faced the ignominy of being substituted after coming off the bench for Borussia Dortmund against Villarreal in the Champions League. But BVB boss Niko Kovac has said the decision was nothing to be alarmed by, with the teenager producing a 'really good' performance.

Nwaneri, on loan at Dortmund from Arsenal, was introduced after just 27 minutes when Konstantinos Karetsas called for attention for what was later described as a problem with his circulation. The 18-year-old Greece international was stretchered from the pitch before heading to the hospital in shocking scenes at the Westfalenstadion.

Kovac sent Nwaneri onto the pitch, and the youngster had an influential role as Dortmund came away 3-2 winners. The Arsenal academy product produced the joint-most shots, joint-most dribbles and joint-most tackles for the Bundesliga giants during his time on the pitch.

Nwaneri was later subbed after Serhou Guirassy put Dortmund 2-1 ahead, with Carney Chukwuemeka replacing the 19-year-old in the 82nd minute. Kovac suggested that Nwaneri earned a similar amount of time on the field, as he would have had he started the match.

"He gave everything. If he had started the game, he probably would have come off around the 60th minute," Kovac said.

Asked whether the decision was related to Nwaneri's performance, he added: "Quite the opposite, he was really good," Kovac underlined.

"It was great that he was able to have an impact on the team in such a short time."

Arsenal face Napoli in their opening Champions League fixture on September 9. Fans can watch the game live on TNT Sports via HBO Max or Prime Video's TNT Sports channel.

Felix Nmecha and Ethan Nwaneri of Borussia Dortmund celebrate (Image: Hesham Elsherif/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Following the game, Nwaneri did not appear to be too dismayed, reflecting on the win on Instagram, he said: "Great team spirit, onto Saturday."

His message received plenty of support from team-mates as Jobe Bellingham and Waldemar Anton both posted a series of smiling face with heart-eyes emojis.

Chukwuemeka commented: "My boyy." punctuated by a red heart. Forward Fabio Silva simply added: "So good."

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