17-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri produced a standout performance as Arsenal beat Preston North End 3-0 in the Carabao Cup last night. It was Nwaneri’s third goal for the club after scoring twice in a 5–1 win over League One side Bolton Wanderers in the previous round of the competition.
Nwaneri’s goal last night was Arsenal’s second of the game. He had already gone close to scoring twice before Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring in the 23rd minute.
Nwaneri doubled Arsenal’s lead in the 32nd minute with a superb goal from 20 yards. Gabriel Jesus laid the ball to him on the right of the penalty area, took a touch to steady himself and curled a high curling shot past Freddie Woodman and into the far corner of the net in the Preston goal. .
Kai Havertz later added a third in the 57th minute to complete the win and Arsenal will now face Crystal Palace at home in the quarter-finals.
Who is Ethan Nwaneri?
Nwaneri became the youngest player in the Premier League when he made his debut for the north London club in September 2022. His opportunity came as a last-minute substitute in a match against Brentford at the young age of 15, and 181 days later.
This young player, who only signed a professional contract in March of this year, can play as a winger as well as an attacking midfielder.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given Nwaneri four substitute appearances so far this season and has been impressed by the youngster.
“He’s got great talent, he’s got the right attitude, he’s got the right players and the right environment.” Arteta told BBC Sport. “We have to lay brick by brick at the right tempo and order, but there are some players out there.“.
Last season, Nwaneri made just one appearance for the first team. He scored 10 goals in 13 appearances for Arsenal’s Under-21s, including five goals in one game in the FA Youth Cup win over Crewe Alexandra.
He has taken on a more active role in the first team this season, coming on as a substitute for the Gunners four times in the Premier League. His only start for the club came in the previous round against Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium.
With Mikel Arteta’s attacking options plentiful, Nwaneri’s opportunities may be limited at the moment. With Arsenal fans singing proudly “Ethan Nwaneri, he is one of us” Last night it was clear he was already popular. He is still young, has a lot of potential and his future looks very bright.
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