Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri is continuing to make his mark this summer while featuring for England in the Under-21 European Championships.
Despite only receiving his first call-up for the age group in March, the Hale End academy graduate has played an important role for the Three Lions.
Landing two starts out of three in the group stages, Ethan Nwaneri has featured on either flank, as well as up front in a few cameo appearances.
The knockout rounds have seen the Arsenal star land fewer minutes, though he has played an important role regardless, as he makes history with England again.
- GET TO KNOW ETHAN NWANERI: Everything you need to know about Ethan Nwaneri including age, height and Arsenal record
Ethan Nwaneri reaches the under-21 Euros final with England
While England under-21s struggled through their group stage matches in the Euros, they have taken it up a level in the knockout phases.
A 3-1 win over Spain in the quarter-finals ensured a place in the final four, where the Three Lions were lined up to take on the Netherlands.
Harvey Elliott’s brace was enough to land a 2-1 victory, booking England into back-to-back finals in the competition.
Nwaneri’s role has been changed over recent games, as he features from the bench, but he has still been given an important role.
Rather than playing on the wing, Lee Carsley brings him on to feature up front, often looking for him to lead the press when others are tired.
Given his freshness and the pressing intensity taught to him by Mikel Arteta, it’s an effective role for him.
Now, with a place in the final confirmed, Nwaneri has already matched one former star and is looking to match another with an under-21s Euros win.
Ethan Nwaneri matched Theo Walcott by reaching the final, now he can match Emile Smith Rowe by winning it
Plenty of Arsenal stars have competed in the under-21 Euros over the years, with some varying success.
By reaching the final, Nwaneri has at least matched the efforts of Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs in 2009.
The pair came up against Germany in the final, who are the team that this England side will take on in this year’s final, but it ended in a 4-0 loss.
If Nwaneri does go on to win the competition, then he will match the feat of Emile Smith Rowe two years ago.
England went on to beat Spain in the final in 2023, with Smith Rowe the only Arsenal representative in the squad.
With Nwaneri set for another huge final in his early career, he has already matched those who came before him and could now go one step further.
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