Ethan Nwaneri, a young Arsenal player, has become the Premier League’s youngest player ever. He made his debut on Sunday, when Arsenal thrashed Brentford 3-0 at home.
Nwaneri, who was born in 2007 to Nigerian parents, was 15 years and 181 days old when he made his debut for the Gunners 90 minutes into the game at Gtech Community Stadium. After impressing in the club’s U-18 and U-21 teams, the attacking midfielder was promoted to the first team this week.
Nwaneri, who had scored four times and also assisted four times this season for the U-18s and U-21s, currently plays in England’s U-16s and has also made one cap with the U-17s. He could also be eligible as a prospect to play for Nigeria.
The youngster, surpassed Liverpool’s Harvey Elliot’s 16 years, 30 days record as the youngest EPL player and Cesc Fabregas’ 16 years, 5 months record as Arsenal’s youngest player ever.
Arsenal fans could be heard chanting, “You’ve got school in the morning,” to Nwaneri, as he came on the pitch, just as Arsenal moved back to the top of the table with Sunday’s win against Brentford.
The club on its official Twitter handle @Arsenal, said, “15 years and 181 days. The youngest player in Premier League history. Congratulations, Ethan Nwaneri @ArsenalAcademy.”
Nwaneri had been expected to spend the season with Arsenal U-18s but he was quickly promoted to the Under-21s following his impressive performances.
Injuries to captain Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko, had left Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, short of midfield options.
“We are pretty short and opportunities come when issues arise,” said Arteta, “We have the opportunities to bring young players on.”
He made headlines last year when he scored on his debut for the U-18s as a 14-year-old.