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Ethan Nwaneri proves Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli Arsenal point vs Nottingham Forest

Ethan Nwaneri in action for Arsenal.
-Credit: (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)


Ethan Nwaneri continued his remarkable rise with another first for Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.

The 17-year-old was on-target for the Gunners in their 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium as he opened his Premier League account for the club. Nwaneri rubber-stamped three points for Arsenal as they took a first victory in four games to hold their place in the top-four.

Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey also scored. However, it was the Nwaneri strike that really caught the eye as their talented Academy graduate proved, once again, that he's for the here and now and not just the future.

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Nwaneri was assisted by Raheem Sterling in the 86th minute. In finding the back of the net, he became the second youngest ever goal-scorer for Arsenal in a Premier League match - behind Cesc Fabregas.

Fabregas, who needs no introduction at the Emirates Stadium and beyond for his achievements as a player, scored his first top-flight goal for the Gunners aged 17 and 113 days. By contrast, Nwaneri is now 17 and 247 days, while Saka and Gabriel Martinelli had both turned 18 before getting their name on a Premier League score-sheet.

Nwaneri did not start the Forest win, but he was summoned from the substitutes bench by Mikel Arteta with eight minutes remaining as fit-again captain Martin Odegaard was afforded some rest. And the youngster needed next to no time at all to make his impact - making it 3-0 in the closing stages.

The England U19s international has made nine appearances for Arsenal this season, with his maiden Premier League strike adding to three goals he scored in two Carabao Cup outings. Nwaneri is Arsenal's youngest ever player, while at 15 and 181 days - against Brentford in 2022 - he broke the Premier League record in similar regard, too.

His overall senior record for Arsenal now reads 11 games with four goals and no assists.