Ethan Nwaneri will be eyeing a few more footballing records after scoring in Arsenal's ruthless Champions League triumph over PSV. The 17-year-old grabbed his eighth goal of the campaign in the 7-1 victory when he combined with fellow Hale Ender Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Both teenagers have enjoyed breakout seasons under Mikel Arteta with injury issues forcing their development to be fast-tracked. As Riccardo Calafiori has missed parts of the season, while Jurrien Timber has covered for Ben White at right-back, Lewis Skelly has been deployed on the opposite flank, often inverting into midfield.
Nwaneri meanwhile, was featuring mostly in cup competitions until Bukayo Saka was hit by a serious injury. A minor problem of his own saw his minutes deteriorate but with Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli also become unavailable because of injury, Nwaneri has started the last four games in all competitions.
While he has looked composed and impressive in front of goal, Nwaneri has also shown he can create opportunities for others though his first senior assist only arrived a few weeks ago. In Arsenal's first game without four first-choice attackers, Nwaneri stepped up and got the assist for Mikel Merino's first goal in the 2-0 win against Leicester City.
It is therefore no surprise that talks over a new long-term contract have taken place, but they are not the only important Nwaneri discussions taking place. According to the Daily Mail, the FA are in the process of deciding the best pathway into the England senior squad for Nwaneri
Despite him starting a Champions League knockout game for Arsenal, there is a view that he would benefit from at least one call-up to the under-21s squad first. As for Lewis-Skelly, he has already made 35 appearances through the ranks for the young Three Lions and their report has added he is ready for a promotion into the under-21s.
The Daily Mail reports that 'internally at the FA, the prospect of Nwaneri going straight into Tuchel’s squad is not being ruled out'. Nwaneri's current focus will be on helping Arsenal and that could see him break several records.
One of those in his sight is held by Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney with both strikers having scored nine goals before they turned 18 while Nwaneri is currently on eight. With his birthday on March 21st, two goals from the Gunners' has three games would see him become the new record-holder.
Either side of the Champions League second leg against PSV, Arsenal have Premier League games away at Manchester United and at home to Chelsea.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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