Arsenal shocked the footballing world in September when Mikel Arteta decided to substitute 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri on for the final minutes of the match against Brentford. His introduction meant that he became the youngest player to ever play in a Premier League match at aged just 15 years and 181 days old.
Arteta's side started the season excellently with six wins from seven fixtures which saw the Gunners sit at the top of the table heading into the September international break. This made the debut of Nwaneri even more impressive due to the fact that he was able to break into such an in-form squad.
And the youngster has continued to impress away from Arsenal after getting on the scoresheet for England’s under-17s on Friday. With the Gunners’ recent goalscoring problems, Nwaneri’s danger in front of goal could yet see Arteta give the youngster another chance at first-team level.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta main Arsenal concern can be overturned with the return of Edu genius £30m solution
Nwaneri scored England’s second goal of the match against Georgia, as the young Three Lions ran rampant in a 6-2 victory. Fellow Hale End product Lewis Myles-Skelly provided the assist for Nwaneri in the ninth minute.
The 15-year-old’s goal comes at a time when the Gunners are struggling for form. Mikel Arteta’s side have now only scored three goals in the last four games, showing a lack of attacking intent.
Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have both struggled to get on the scoresheet recently with Jesus’ last goal coming in the North London Derby at the start of the month. It is because of this that Arteta could look for fresh ideas to sharpen the attack.
In 2021, Nwaneri had marked his under-18s debut with a stunning strike against Reading at just 14-years-old, catching the eye of Gunners supporters who are hoping for big things from the promising talent.
Nwaneri has also been highly rated as a youth prospect. A former, unnamed Arsenal coach told VAVEL recently: “At the moment, we've got two U16s where if I had to pick out a top ten of all the players I've known of in 30 years of being at Arsenal these two would be in my top ten, they're outstanding.
"One is a boy called Myles Lewis-Skelly and the other is Ethan Nwaneri, and my biggest worry about them is if we can keep them because I would say all the biggest clubs in the country will be sniffing around trying to get them.”
Nwaneri has hit goal-scoring form at the perfect time in his bid to potentially get more first-team minutes. The youngster has trained with the first team in recent weeks, and this could turn into more senior appearances if his goal trends continues.
READ NEXT:
What Jordan Henderson said to Gabriel Magalhaes during Arsenal win vs Liverpool amid FA findings
Arsenal hold distinct Edu advantage over Liverpool in race for Xavi Simons after PSV hint
Arsenal suffer fresh injury blow following Europa League defeat as Gabriel Magalhaes 'limps' off
Pep Guardiola's third favour for Mikel Arteta can solve Arsenal's £18m Thomas Partey problem
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
