Arsenal supporters on X (formerly Twitter) expressed their admiration for Ethan Nwaneri after his impressive display in the Gunners’ 5-1 EFL Cup win over Bolton Wanderers on September 25. The north London team controlled the League One side at the Emirates, earning a place in the fourth round of the tournament.
Nwaneri was the standout performer, captivating both fans and analysts with his impact. The 17-year-old Hale End academy product made his first senior start for Arsenal and took full advantage, delivering one of his most notable performances to date. Prior to this, he had only appeared as a substitute three times in the Premier League.
After Declan Rice scored in the 16th minute, Nwaneri quickly followed suit, scoring his first goal in the 37th minute with a composed finish from a Raheem Sterling cross. He struck again shortly after halftime, capitalizing on a mistake from Chris Forino to score his second in the 49th minute, firing past Bolton goalkeeper Luke Southwood. Despite a brief response from Aaron Collins, who scored for Bolton in the 53rd minute, Arsenal maintained control and added two more goals in the second half.
Nwaneri’s performance was outstanding. Alongside his two goals, he recorded an expected goals (xG) figure of 0.67, second only to Raheem Sterling’s 0.85. His contributions earned him the Man of the Match accolade, prompting fans to celebrate him on social media.
One fan noted:
“Thoughts on Nwaneri? Kid is special.”
Another stated:
“A star was born today, Nwaneri.”
Supporters highlighted the teenager’s potential for a bright future with the club:
“Ethan Nwaneri has everything needed to become a first-team star. The future looks promising.”
One fan remarked that Nwaneri should receive more playing time with Martin Odegaard sidelined:
“Nwaneri plays with maturity. He should get more minutes to prove himself now that Odegaard is injured.”
With Arsenal moving on to the fourth round, where they will face Preston North End from the Championship, Nwaneri’s role within the team may continue to expand.
### Arteta’s Confidence in Nwaneri
After the dominant win, manager Mikel Arteta conveyed his belief in Nwaneri’s readiness for increased involvement in future matches. In the post-match press conference, Arteta lauded the young player’s development and composure on the field, highlighting his confidence and decision-making.
“He’s improving every day. The players really respect him,” Arteta commented. “You can see he’s playing without pressure, with confidence, making decisions that show he’s ready at this level. Today he had a very strong performance, and I’m pleased to see that.”
Arteta’s remarks suggest that Nwaneri may receive more opportunities to shine as the Gunners juggle both domestic and cup competitions.
Arsenal’s next match is against Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday, September 28, where fans may again witness the talented teenager in action.