Spanish outlet Sport has tipped the value of Arsenal‘s young prodigy Ethan Nwaneri to triple in the coming years, following his impressive first Premier League goal.
The 17-year-old, hailed as one of the club’s brightest talents since his record-breaking debut at the age of 15 years and 181 days, has been steadily climbing through the ranks at Arsenal, earning comparisons to Barcelona‘s Lamine Yamal.
Nwaneri made history by scoring his first Premier League goal at the Emirates Stadium in the match against Nottingham Forest, in front of an ecstatic home crowd. Entering the pitch as a substitute for Martin Ødegaard, Nwaneri seized his opportunity to shine. Raheem Sterling, who also came on with Nwaneri, assisted the teenager with a clever pass that set up his left-footed strike, which glided past the Nottingham Forest defence and nestled into the net. This goal made Nwaneri the second-youngest player in Arsenal’s history to score in the Premier League, surpassed only by Cesc Fabregas at 17 years and 91 days back in 2004.
Mikel Arteta was quick to praise the youngster’s progress, viewing his goal as another foundational step in Nwaneri’s development. “Nwaneri is intelligent, our players trust him. I am responsible for building his career. His first Premier League goal is another brick. Then you have to put another layer of cement … if you put five bricks, it doesn’t work,” Arteta said, emphasising the importance of patience in nurturing the young talent.
Declan Rice, who was on the bench to witness the moment, added, “I couldn’t be happier for you, you have the whole world ahead of you,” while Raheem Sterling described the goal as “the first of many” for Nwaneri. The praise for the youngster has been effusive, with Arsenal’s senior players recognising his potential and rallying around him.
Nwaneri’s rise has not been without its challenges. After becoming the youngest Premier League debutant in history in September 2022, his initial burst of attention was followed by a quieter period. With just 11 appearances across three seasons, the buzz surrounding his name quietened, though Arsenal fans remained firm in their belief in his abilities.
This season, however, has marked a turning point. Arteta has given Nwaneri an increasingly prominent role across competitions, including the Premier League, Champions League, and League Cup, where he has impressed with three goals in two cup matches.
The Nottingham Forest match offered a glimpse of what the future may hold for Nwaneri. With the game comfortably in Arsenal’s favour at 2-0, Nwaneri’s goal ignited excitement, the home crowd celebrating as though a late comeback had been achieved.
Sport‘s assessment of Nwaneri’s value reflects the high expectations surrounding his future. Currently listed at €12m on Transfermarkt, the publication speculates that his worth could easily double or triple in the near future as he continues to develop.
Arsenal’s supporters have every reason to be excited; with the likes of Nwaneri emerging from the academy, the future of the club looks promising.
