New Delhi: At just over 15 years old, Ethan Nwaneri debuted for Arsenal and became the youngest player to ever play in the Premier League, coming off the bench against Brentford in the 2022-23 season. He has come a long way since, with his last night’s performance against Bolton, where he scored a brilliant brace to help his team win 5-1.
While many will consider the EFL Cup Mikel Arteta’s lowest priority, the manager has brought his best team forward. Arsenal came to the clash after drawing with their arch-rivals Manchester City, which City were losing for most of the game. Nwaneri excelled at the no. 10 role as the Gunners started the procession, taking control of the game early on to give Bolton no chance to recover.
The versatile midfielder was on Arteta’s radar from the first week when the latter took over the role of Gunner’s manager. A 12-year-old Nwaneri had been making murmurs with his performance in the U-15 arena. Arteta had asked the then U-15 coach Dan Micciche about the potential of the Arsenal academy, particularly about Nwaneri.
A performance to be proud of 🪄
Tonight’s Player of the Match: Ethan Nwaneri 👏 pic.twitter.com/RlT5bDhnNQ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 25, 2024
Start of a talented career
Micciche described the young Nwaneri as being parallel to Phil Foden and Cole Palmer. Arteta had since monitored his performance, and his playing style had impressed the 42-year-old manager. Nwaneri was undoubtedly full of potential, as by the age of 14, he was part of the Arsenal U-18 team.
His U-18 training was limited to Friday afternoons when he could leave school early. Youth coach Danny Buck took him under his wing and trained him for ball mastery and designed drills that would help him react quickly in quick-paced, on-pitch scenarios. Arsenal were clever in playing in the games that tested Nwaneri to his skill’s limits.
A first goal in the red and white ❤️ pic.twitter.com/iAImVKHW4g
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 26, 2024
Having made a great impression in the limited outings for two seasons, Nwaneri began his 2022-23 season in the U-18 but was soon advanced to the U-21 team. After just a single appearance in the Premier League 2, the English footballer started training with the first team in September and began his journey with the senior club within days.
Making his first start in the senior team, the 17-year-old came into the spotlight right before the half time when Raheem Sterling’s on-spot low cross saw a simple finish from Nwaneri. Within 4 minutes of the game resuming, Nwaneri scored his second goal after a good pass from Declan Rice. For his efforts, he was judged as the man of the match. It was little surprise to anyone.
Everyone witnessed yesterday the traits he had been showing since the early days of his career. His decision-making skills caught the attention of all his coaches. In both of his goals, he kept his nerves cool to finish. For someone his age, he has adapted well to the transformation and the waiting for the next level of football.
A lot of the credit goes to Arteta, who has created an atmosphere where senior players can train and eat at the same facility as the junior-level team. It has made the transition for players easier. Despite offers and interests from other clubs, Nwaneri has renewed his commitment to Arsenal, having grown up just a short distance away from the Emirates Stadium.
As Arteta indicates, loyalty to the side will ultimately benefit Nwaneri, who played his fourth game for the club on Wednesday. Arteta has said that Nwaneri will get a lot more chances this season, especially with key players like Martin Odegaard missing from the squad. It is quite clear that Arteta and everyone in the Arsenal hierarchy view Nwaneri as a long-term association. It is up to Nwaneri to use the opportunity.
Nwaneri’s brace has put his name on the football world map. Here’s a look at the 17-year-old’s journey with Arsenal so far. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
