Arsenal's young talent, Ethan Nwaneri, etched his name into the history books by becoming the third-youngest player to score in a Champions League knockout stage match. The 17-year-old midfielder’s goal helped seal an extraordinary 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the round of 16.
Ethan Nwaneri’s impact on Arsenal’s attack
In the 7-1 thrashing, Nwaneri found the back of the net after finishing off a precise cross from Myles Lewis-Skelly. His thunderous first-time shot doubled Arsenal's lead and marked his eighth goal of a season that has already been groundbreaking for the young star.
Despite being just 17, Nwaneri has played a crucial role in filling the gap left by several key players sidelined due to injury, including Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus. His timely contribution in the knockout stage further cemented his status as a rising star within the squad.
Ethan Nwaneri: breaking records at a young age
Nwaneri’s feat is remarkable as he is still several weeks away from turning 18. The midfielder’s goal places him among a select group of players, with only former Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic and England's Jude Bellingham having scored in a Champions League knockout match at a younger age.
Bojan was 17 years and 217 days old when he scored for Barcelona against Schalke in 2008, while Bellingham was 17 years and 289 days when he found the net for Borussia Dortmund against Manchester City in 2021. Nwaneri, at 17 years and 348 days, now sits third on this prestigious list, surpassing Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, who scored at 17 years and 363 days.
An english milestone
Beyond his goal, Nwaneri’s inclusion in the starting lineup further solidified his place in Champions League history. By featuring in the knockout round, he became just the third English player to start a Champions League knockout match before turning 18, joining the ranks of Bellingham and Phil Foden.
Moreover, Nwaneri’s partnership with fellow academy graduate Lewis-Skelly, who provided the assist for his goal, made history as the first time two English teenagers had combined to score in a Champions League match.
A bright future for Arsenal’s young stars
With the match well in hand, Arsenal cruised to a 7-1 victory, all but confirming their place in the quarter-finals, where they are likely to face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid. After the match, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard praised the duo's composure and quality on the pitch.
They play like they’ve been here for many years already, said Odegaard, speaking to Amazon Prime. They have so much quality, so much confidence. You have to enjoy it. I try to help them. Obviously, I've been in a similar position. For them, it’s such a natural thing. They’re here, they’re ready for it. It’s a joy to play with them.
As Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly continue to impress, Arsenal’s future looks even brighter, with their young talents leading the charge in Europe’s premier competition.
