Ethan Nwaneri carries the aura of someone who believes— or more likely knows— he is destined to shine no matter the level of football he’s playing at. Whether it’s with the Arsenal Under-21s, England Under-19s, against League One sides, Championship teams, or even a Premier League club sitting third in the table, it doesn’t faze him.
At this point, everyone will need to get used to seeing Nwaneri raise his index finger in celebration. Though it’s not yet a signature gesture, it’s becoming a regular sight whenever he scores. Subtle but confident, Nwaneri already seems like a player who knows this is just the beginning.
If his performances over the past couple of months are any indication, he’s right. Since his debut start against Bolton in the Carabao Cup, he’s scored four goals for Arsenal, each showcasing a different facet of his talent. In the match against Nottingham Forest, he instinctively recognized the chance to make an impact.
Every appearance he makes feels like a brief but decisive cameo. There’s always a moment, and in a game where Nottingham Forest were eager to leave North London after barely challenging Arsenal, Nwaneri made several of them.
Subbed on with 20 minutes remaining, it took him just seconds to start influencing the game. Charging into the space that is quickly becoming synonymous with his name—the right half-space that stretches horizontally across the pitch—he skillfully maneuvered past two defenders, cut onto his left foot, and curled a shot just wide.
It was the kind of movement and impact from a player who could sense his first Premier League goal was close. A similar piece of skill had sparked the action in his earlier assist against Leicester City this season.
Once again, driving into that space where no Forest players seem to be (a space many struggle to track or close down), he played the ball to Raheem Sterling, who was surging forward but cleverly staying off the radar of defenders. The attack opened up, Sterling cut the ball back, and seconds later, Nwaneri raised his finger again.