Declan Rice fires Ethan Nwaneri Arsenal message as feelings made clear after first goal

Declan Rice was one of many to pick out the brilliance of Ethan Nwaneri for Arsenal after he scored a first Premier League goal. Coming on as a second half substitute against Nottingham Forest, the 17-year-old bagged the third in a comfortable win for his side.

It's his fourth of the campaign, in total, having only got his first for the club's senior team earlier this season in the Carabao Cup. Despite his age, the England youth starlet is still making quite the impact in cameos at the top level.

At a wet Emirates Stadium, Nwaneri came close to scoring a stunning effort when he curled wide - moments after gliding past two Forest defenders. The wait to become Arsenal's second youngest ever Premier League goal-scorer - behind only Cesc Fabregas - didn't go on too much longer, though.

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Driving at the Forest defence, Nwaneri played Raheem Sterling in on the right before continuing his run into the box. Slotting home first time, he ran off to celebrate the moment with a set of overjoyed teammates.

Rice, who was left out as a precaution, having also pulled out of playing for England over the international break, was not one of those with him on the pitch revelling in the moment. However, the dressing room leader didn't let that stop him from getting involved afterwards.

Posting online, Rice simply added a 'star' emoji to a picture of Nwaneri sat by his spot in the changing room. Incidentally situated in front of Rice's shirt, it's a low-key form of praise for a player destined for great things.

As for Rice, he will hope to be on the pitch with Nwaneri again soon enough as Arsenal prepare for Champions League action against Sporting CP, before then a trip to West Ham next weekend. Mikel Arteta did not offer an update on his fitness, but had been hopeful of the 24-year-old being involved against Forest prior to the match.