Ethan Nwaneri has become the youngest player in the history of the Premier League. The midfielder came on as a substitute for Arsenal in their 3-0 win at Brentford in the 91st minute.
Ethan Nwaneri was aged just 15 years and 181 days, when he came off the bench to replace Fabio Vieira.
By doing so he broke the record held by Harvey Elliott. When he appeared for Fulham aged 16 years and 30 days back in 2019.
He also broke the all-time English top-flight record, held since August 1964 by former Sunderland goalkeeper Derek Forster, by four days
Here is what the club’s manager Arteta had to say about the debutant: “It was a pure gut feeling. I met the boy, I really liked what I saw, the academy staff gave my really good information about him.
“I met him, he trained a couple of times with us, yesterday he had to come because we had all the injuries, especially with Martin [Odegaard]. And then I had that feeling from yesterday that the opportunity could happen, that I was going to do it, and I just did it.
“It’s another step in your career, another experience, because not all are going to be forwards. After that, maybe he needs three backwards to have another forward.
“But I think he deserved it and it sends a strong message about who we are as a club.
“I don’t know what it is. When I met him, I looked at him and had that feeling. We want to give opportunities when there is talent, when there is personality. and when there are players that love what they do so much, they have no fear. The door is open to explore where they can go.”
