Ethan Chidiebere Nwaneri (born 21 March 2007) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Arsenal.
Nwaneri made his Premier League debut against Brentford in September 2022, becoming the youngest ever Arsenal player, and the youngest player to appear in the top flight of English football.
Nwaneri has been described as a “number 10” who plays with flair but can also dribble well, and is versatile enough to play wide as well as central.
Early Life and Career
Nwaneri was born on 21 March 2007 in England to Nigerian Igbo parents. Nwaneri attends St John’s Senior School in Enfield.
Career
Nwaneri joined up with Arsenal at nine years-old. By the age of 14 he was already playing for their under-18 side. Predominantly he plays as a midfielder.
Nwaneri started the 2022–23 season playing for Arsenal under-18s but such was his form he was progressed up to the Arsenal under-21s. He joined the Arsenal first team for training in September, and made his first Arsenal Premier League match day squad on 18 September for the match against Brentford, and was then included among the match day substitutes for Arsenal. His appearance as a substitute aged 15 years, 181 days saw him become the youngest player to ever appear in the Premier League – breaking the record previously held by Harvey Elliott, who appeared in the competition for Fulham aged 16 years, 30 days – and also breaking the all-time English top-flight record, held since August 1964 by former Sunderland goalkeeper Derek Forster, by four days. He also became Arsenal’s youngest-ever player in any competition, breaking the previous record of 16 years, 177 days, set by Cesc Fàbregas in the 2003–04 League Cup.
Arsenal handed 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri a dream debut off the bench in Sunday’s Premier League clash against Brentford.
- Nwaneri only made his Under-18s debut in May
- Teenager is an attacking midfielder
- 17-year-old Lino Sousa also on the bench
WHAT HAPPENED? The midfielder became the youngest player ever to play for Arsenal after coming on late in the 3-0 win, as well as the youngest player ever to play in the Premier League.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Nwaneri is still on schoolboy terms at Arsenal, but has made rapid progress with the club in recent months.
He started the season with the u18s and impressed throughout pre-season, starring in some friendlies. One of which was against Slough Town, with Rebels boss picking him out as a potential star of the future.
“Their number 10 has got great feet, he’s only a real youngster,” Neil Baker said after the game. “He’s a real high hope for them at Arsenal. He’s got absolutely unbelievable ability.”
AND WHAT’S MORE: Nwaneri, who has represented England at U16s level, has broken into the U21s in recent weeks and his performances saw him called up to first-team training by Mikel Arteta.
WHERE DOES HE PLAY? Nwaneri is an attacking midfielder who is known for his flair and his ability to run with the ball at his feet. He likes to operate in the No.10 role, but can play across all the attacking positions.
THE VERDICT: This was obviously a huge moment for Nwaneri, but the fact Arteta had to name him on the bench for a Premier League fixture highlights how small Arsenal’s squad still is. They have a few injuries at the moment and Martin Odegaard dropping out at the last minute hasn’t helped matters, but even so – Arteta shouldn’t really have to be turning to a child to help him plug the gap.
It shows that there is still plenty of work to be done before this Arsenal squad can get close to competing with the best there is to offer in England.
WHAT NEXT FOR NWANERI? After coming on against Brentford, Nwaneri (15 years, 5 months, 23 days) has surpassed Cesc Fabregas (16 years 5 months 24 days) as Arsenal’s youngest ever player. He has also become the Premier League’s youngest player, beating Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott (16 years, 30 days).
Parents
Ethan’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Nwaneri, who are of Igbo origin in Nigeria.
Girlfriend/ Wife
Ethan Nwaneri is currently single and not in an open relationship for now. Ethan Nwaneri is also not married.
Net Worth and Salary
Ethan Nwaneri’s net worth as of 2022 is estimated at around $50, 000 – $500, 000.
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