Ethan Nwaneri enjoyed a personal landmark moment as Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest in a Premier League clash on Saturday.
Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Premier League after the international break, as Mikel Arteta’s side beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for the Gunners, before Thomas Partey doubled the hosts’ advantage early in the second half. Ethan Nwaneri was then able to add gloss to the scoreline late on as he latched onto a Raheem Sterling cutback to fire in his first ever Premier League goal.
The 17-year-old Hale End academy graduate has now scored four times for Arsenal this season, and in his nascent career overall, having previously netted three times in the EFL Cup. His maiden Premier League strike will mean that little bit more to him though.
Arsenal fans react to Ethan Nwaneri goal vs Nottingham Forest
Arsenal fans have been excited about Nwaneri for a long time, and for good reason. The teenager is a colossal talent, and is expected to achieve great things in the future.
After his goal against Forest, those expectations will have ratcheted up to another level, as he took another stride into the limelight. He looks ready for that next step though, and comfortable on the biggest stage.
Arsenal fans on X are certainly convinced that they have a special talent on their hands in Nwaneri.
One said: “Every touch, movement, action is progressive, direct & incisive. He’s so, so good. Ethan Nwaneri. One. Of. Our. Own.”
Another stated: “Ability to control games + decisiveness in the final third + killer instinct + excellent body usage + zero angle bias + close control in tight areas + explosive acceleration in 5 yards + ball striking from distance + clever final ball = Nwaneri. Hale End created a super talent.”
One fan claimed: “Nwaneri is an instant shooter aswell. Hes going to score so many goals for Arsenal lmao.”
Another added: “Nwaneri is the guy employers ask for when they say they want a uni graduate with 13 years experience.”
How Mikel Arteta will manage Nwaneri
Arteta confessed his intention to protect Nwaneri after this match.
The Spanish coach will recognise that the youngster is at a crucial stage in his development, and whilst he must continue to be confronted with new challenges and routinely tested, he cannot be exposed to too much pressure and scrutiny too soon.
The Arsenal manager said: “I think we have to put brick by brick and make sure the cement doesn’t get dry. Hopefully we can build a beautiful thing with him.”
This step by step – or brick by brick – approach will allow Nwaneri to gradually adapt and acclimatise to the demands and expectations of Premier League football.
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