By Victor Kanayo
A Nigerian-eligible player Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest footballer in Premier League history in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Brentford on Sunday September 18, 2022
The young gunner who wasn’t even born when the Emirates Stadium was opened – came off the bench on Sunday day to face Brentford.
The teenager was promoted to first team training having made his U21’s debut at the beginning of September.
And the attacking midfielder quickly earned a spot in Mikel Arteta’s squad with the likes of Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith-Rowe unavailable due to injury.
Arsenal’s premier league win over Brentford took them back to the top of the table following victories for Manchester City and Tottenham on Saturday.
Nwaneri had replaced Fabio Vieira in stoppage time at Brentford Community Stadium.
He beat the record held by Harvey Elliott, who was 16 years and 30 days old when he played for Fulham in 2019.
Nwaneri, who was born in March 2007, has been allocated the number 83 shirt.
He has made several appearances for Arsenal at under-18 level and played for the England Under-16s when he was 14.
Nwaneri was born in 2007, almost a year after the Gunners faced Barcelona in their first and only Champions League final in 2006.
Club legends – Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Cesc Fabregas all featured in that game as well as Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o and Xavi.
Arsene Wenger’s side went on to lose the clash 2-1 following two late Barcelona goals.
Last week Northern Irish schoolboy Christopher Atherton became the youngest senior footballer in the United Kingdom aged 13 years and 329 days when he played for Glenavon.
