What Arsenal stars did to Ethan Nwaneri in training after first Premier League goal speaks volumes

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Ethan Nwaneri scored his first ever Premier League goal as Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday. 

Mikel Arteta brought Ethan Nwaneri on as a substitute with around ten minutes to go, and the Gunners 2-0 up, at the Emirates Stadium. 

Less than ten minutes later, the Hale End academy wonderkid latched onto a Raheem Sterling cutback and steered the ball into the back of net. With this strike, Nwaneri became Arsenal’s youngest Premier League goalscorer since Cesc Fabregas. 

The 17-year-old wheeled away in celebration in front of the home fans, and was quickly mobbed by his teammates. The teenager will have been delighted to have opened his Premier League account in front of the Emirates Stadium faithful.

Arsenal fans are hugely excited about Nwaneri, and for good reason. Arteta will be aware that he has a major talent on his hands, and big things are expected from the youngster who has now shown that he can make an impact at the highest level.

• READ MORE: Every Arsenal academy player to make their senior debuts under Mikel Arteta

How Arsenal celebrated Ethan Nwaneri goal behind the scenes

The celebrations of Nwaneri’s moment of glory have continued behind the scenes at the club.

As Arteta’s squad reported for training on Monday, the youngster was singled out for some special treatment, as shown in footage shared by Hayters TV.

The Arsenal staff and players created a tunnel for Nwaneri to duck and run through, as they slapped and clapped at him on his way. The player clearly enjoyed this spirited show of joy for his success. 

How Nwaneri is thought of at Arsenal

Nwaneri is very highly rated at Arsenal. The club are well aware that he has vast potential, and have known this for some time. 

After all, he became the youngest player in the club’s, and Premier League, history back in September 2022. Arteta afforded the then-15-year-old his top flight debut as a late substitute against Brentford. 

Since then, he has been integrated into the first team slowly. Arteta has discussed the need to handle Nwaneri’s development gradually. This is important, as he needs to be given the chance to acclimatise to the demands and spotlight of being a regular for the Gunners. Too much scrutiny and pressure too soon could do more harm than good.

So far, though, Nwaneri has been able to clear every challenge laid before him with flying colours, and took another huge stride forward on Saturday.