17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri becomes second-youngest goalscorer for Arsenal in 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest
Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri entered the recordbooks in today's (November 23) game against Nottingham Forest after bagging his first Premier League goal. The 17-year-old's strike for the north Londoners wrapped up a comfortable 3-0 win and also made him the second youngest goalscorer in the club's history.
Nwaneri is a pupil of the club's Hale End academy and has made 10 appearances. His 86th-minute strike puts him only behind Cesc Fabregas who bagged his first Premier League goal at 17 and 113 days old, 134 days before Nwaneri (via OptaJoe).
Ethan Nwaneri hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow Hale End graduate Bukayo Saka and become an integral part of the Arsenal team. His cameo appearance will definitely live long in his memory, with the young midfielder coming on for the last eight minutes to replace Martin Odegaard and getting on the scoresheet four minutes later.
The midfielder will be keen to get on the scoresheet again and hope for a chance in the Gunners' next match against Sporting Club de Portugal in the UEFA Champions League midweek.
“He’s a big talent, he’s got the right attitude" - What Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has said about Ethan Nwaneri
Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri is highly rated at the club and is expected to have a bright future there. The club manager hailed his talent in an interview last month, and the midfielder has continued to impress when given the opportunity.
The Gunners have a history of giving young players a pathway to the first team, with academy prospects like Bukayo Saka, Cesc Fabregas, and Gabriel Martinelli coming through the ranks at the club.
Speaking after his side's Carabao Cup victory over Preston North end, the Spanish tactician hailed the midfielder, saying via The Independent:
“He’s a big talent, he’s got the right attitude, he’s got the right players and context around him and we need to make sure that we put brick by brick in the right tempo, in the right order, but we have some player there.”
Ethan Nwaneri came off the bench for Arsenal two years ago in a clash with Brentford to become the club and the league's youngest player at 15 years and 181 days. Mikel Arteta hopes to help the talented midfielder reach his immense potential under his tutelage.