Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri started on the bench in England’s opening game at the U21 European Championships.
The 18-year-old had his breakthrough season at Arsenal alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly in the 2024/25 season, and both players were phenomenal.
Lewis-Skelly has skipped the U21s and has made it into the senior England side, but Nwaneri has not reached that stage yet.
He was called up to the U21s for the Euros, and against Czechia in England’s opener on Thursday, Nwaneri was brought on as a substitute for the final 21 minutes of the game.
Arsenal fans were blown away after watching his cameo.
Arsenal fans react to Ethan Nwaneri’s performance for England U21s
The England U21s had Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott start on the right flank and Manchester City’s James McAtee get the number 10 role – both players are 22 years old.
Nwaneri, who is still only 18, had to settle for a spot on the bench at the start, but his performance when he was brought on impressed everyone, especially Arsenal supporters.
One Arsenal fan tweeted: “Nwaneri cameo vs Czechia U21: “Can’t chain a player like this to the bench for long.”
Another wrote: “Nwaneri is special, no doubt!”
“Nwaneri has lost the ball a couple of times which is normal for a young player but you can see he has so much more tactical maturity now in terms of the positions he takes up and his work off the ball,” said another.
Another Gooner tweeted: “Ethan Nwaneri was bright for England u21 today in a short cameo. The confidence in his runs and ability to control the ball in tight areas was supreme as always. Love to see him playing so direct when he receives off the right wing.”
“Guys aren’t ready for him next season. This season was good, but next season will be great. What a special talent Nwaneri is, devastating and has a killer mentality. He doesn’t care what’s in front of him, has only one objective, and it’s to devastate,” said another.
Ethan Nwaneri needs to start for England U21s
Nwaneri’s appearance against Czechia was just his third for the England U21s and his first-ever in a major tournament.
The Englishman is absolutely phenomenal, but he has more experienced players like Elliott and McAtee playing in his positions ahead of him.
However, Nwaneri is ready to start games.
We don’t know where Lee Carsley will accommodate him, but the Arsenal man is too good to be sitting on the bench.
Nwaneri played as a second striker in his only ever start for the England U21s. That could be where he gets his chance if he starts in the coming games.
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