_Welcome to a new series focusing specifically on the talented schoolboys at Arsenal who are currently at Hale End – those in the U16s and below. The academy is based in E17, Walthamstow. The first article is on Emerson Nwaneri_.
Given his surname, Emerson Nwaneri will inevitably attract a lot of attention as he moves up the ranks at the club.
The younger brother of one of Hale End’s most prominent recent graduates Ethan Nwaneri, Emerson is a strong candidate to be included in Arsenal’s scholarship intake for next season.
A midfielder who can also play at right-back if required, the younger Nwaneri is capable of making a significant contribution both defensively and in an attacking sense.
Nwaneri is a fine passer and dribbler, while he can also find the net himself, as demonstrated by the fact that he scored a hat-trick for the U16s against Chelsea earlier this season.
The prospect plays without fear and has been making in-roads into the U18 squad, featuring in pre-season against Dover before making his competitive debut recently as a substitute against Fulham.
It is anticipated that Nwaneri could have further involvement with the U18s this campaign despite there being a lot of first and second year scholars available.
Last season Nwaneri was part of the Arsenal U15 team that won the Premier League Floodlit Shield, overcoming Blackburn Rovers in the final.
On the international stage Nwaneri was called up to an England U15 training camp last year and will hope to follow his brother in progressing through the ranks for the Three Lions.