Mikel Arteta said 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri is ready to make his mark on the Premier League after he scored twice in Arsenal’s 5-1 Carabao Cup victory against Bolton.
The highly-rated midfielder delivered on his first start for the Gunners after he struck in both halves, with Declan Rice, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz also on target.
Nwaneri was just 15 when Arteta made him the Premier League’s youngest player as a late substitute at Brentford two years ago.
However, Wednesday’s fixture – which also saw 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter become Arsenal’s youngest ever starter – marked just his fourth senior appearance.
But when asked if Nwaneri, who came off the bench in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Tottenham earlier this month, could be used more regularly in his side’s title bid, Arteta said: “Let’s go. It is another step. He is ahead of what anybody could expect.
“You can tell he is playing with a confidence and belief and an understanding of what he needs to do on the pitch.
“In his journey with the first team he is always ahead of what everybody expected and I expected, too. He deserves that and he is part of us so he will have the minutes.”
Arteta handed starts to four academy players, with Myles Lewis-Skelly (17) – who played a part in Nwaneri’s first-half strike following a fine through-ball to Sterling – Josh Nichols (18) and Porter all blooded at the Emirates Stadium.
Porter’s inclusion, with David Raya injured and a doubt for the next league match against Leicester, and Neto cup-tied, was the most significant after he surpassed Cesc Fabregas as Arsenal’s youngest player to start a match, aged 16 years and 77 days.
“We told him yesterday and he was over the moon,” said Arteta.
“He spoke straightaway to his family and they were not prepared for that.
“It is a big step, a big occasion for them and I think they were nervous about it. But he reacted really well, he was really composed in training and his team-mates helped him, too. What an experience and what a way to break a record.”
On a positive night for Arteta, on-loan Chelsea forward Sterling also broke his duck when he scored shortly after the hour mark.
“It was very good performance by Raheem,” continued Arteta.
“He is getting better and better and you can tell physically he is making steps. He was involved in a few goals so it was a very strong night for him.”
Prior to Rice’s opener in the 16th minute, Bolton wanted a penalty when Josh Sheehan claimed he was bundled over by Gabriel Jesus. Referee Josh Smith waved away their appeals, and less than 60 seconds later, Arsenal were in the lead.
“Two or three of their goals were self inflicted which is disappointing, and we should have had a penalty,” said Bolton boss Ian Evatt.
“If that would have made a difference, I don’t know, but what is right is right. Arsenal had two big moments in the first half and they scored and that was the difference.”
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...
Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...
Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...
Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....
Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...
Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...
