Ethan Nwaneri’s potential has been spoken about with excitement for years at Arsenal — and in Los Angeles overnight, he showed what all the fuss is about.
The 17-year-old midfielder produced an impressive performance, as Arsenal kicked off their pre-season campaign by beating Bournemouth on penalties.
Nwaneri featured for 83 minutes, more than any other Arsenal player, and caught the eye with a number of bright runs and his range of passing.
With many senior stars missing after the Copa America and Euro 2024, the Gunners’ US tour is a chance for youngsters to impress Mikel Arteta.
Nwaneri seized his first opportunity, and his impact felt especially timely, given the imminent departure of Emile Smith Rowe, whose £35million move to Fulham could open the door for him this season.
Nwaneri started as the right No8 against Bournemouth and looked bright cutting inside on to his left foot. He was moved to the left for the second half, as captain Martin Odegaard came on, and his presence faded, although the teenager still looked assured on the ball.
His display raises the prospect of more chances in the No8 role in which Smith Rowe struggled to flourish.
Nwaneri has the swagger that many good young players have, and he will hope this is the season he establishes himself in the first-team squad.
Nwaneri made his debut in 2022, becoming the youngest player in Premier League history, at the age of 15 years and 181 days.
He was still under schoolboy terms at the time and the club had to fight hard to see off competition from Chelsea and Manchester City to keep him.
Nwaneri eventually signed scholarship terms with Arsenal and signed his first professional contract in March, shortly after turning 17. He has been knocking on the door of the first team and Arteta gave him a late cameo in a 6-0 win at West Ham after players on the bench urged the Arsenal manager to throw him on.
Arteta will be wary about rushing Nwaneri’s development but, given the packed fixture schedule Arsenal face this coming season, he will surely become a useful option in the squad.
It was a nod to his development that he was trusted to play in the heart of midfield against Bournemouth, and instead it was Fabio Vieira who was moved out wide.
Vieira has struggled since joining Arsenal two years ago, but he is another who could benefit from Smith Rowe’s departure.
Vieira looked better on the right flank, which seems to suit his slender frame, and took his goal well with an excellent volley.
With games against Manchester United and Liverpool to come before Arsenal fly home, both Nwaneri and Vieira will be hoping this is just the start of a successful tour for them.
