It’s amazing to see Ethan Nwaneri score that goal at just 17 years of age. Amazing to everyone at least except Mikel Arteta.
“He did it yesterday in training so we’re getting used to that,” the Spaniard revealed in his post-match press conference.
The 5,600 Arsenal fans are certainly enjoying seeing Nwaneri on a regular stage. Just two starts into his Gunners career he has a chant. After becoming the youngest player to score on both of his first two starts, you can hardly argue that isn’t deserved.
Astonishingly, Nwaneri now has more League Cup goals than Thierry Henry. The question is can he start adding Premier League strikes to his tally?
“He’s going to really dictate how that’s gonna go,” Arteta said. “He’s a big talent, he’s got the right attitude, he’s got the right players and context around him and we need to make sure that we build that brick by brick. But we have some player there!”
The 17-year-old did go down with cramp towards the end and that is perhaps the only thing holding him back from starting regularly. Arsenal will be desperate not to over-expose him and risk injuries that have blighted similar talents like Jack Wilshere in the past.
The Gunners senior players are also having to manage him through games. Even in a packed Deepdale, Mikel Merino could be heard bellowing instructions to Nwaneri on where to stand at a throw in. For now though, it’s all looking up for the Hale Ender. He’ll hope to ride this wave for as long as possible.
Jesus finally breaks his duck
When Gabriel Jesus last scored for Arsenal Rishi Sunak was prime minister, Roy Hodgson was still Crystal Palace manager and Ethan Nwaneri hadn’t signed a professional contract. Safe to say, it had been a long time coming.
The Brazilian took his goal like a man who hadn’t scored in a long time. Rather than caress Jakub Kiwior’s knockdown into the bench he absolutely hammered it home.