Arsenal's young star Ethan Nwaneri expressed his delight after scoring two goals in his first-ever start for the club during their 5-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday. The 17-year-old described the experience as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
"It's surreal," Nwaneri told reporters. "It's a feeling I've wanted to feel for almost 16 years of my life, so to actually feel it, it's crazy, I just want more of it."
Following a demanding 2-2 draw against Manchester City on Sunday, manager Mikel Arteta made several changes to his lineup, including giving Nwaneri and 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter their maiden starts. Arteta had previously made Nwaneri the Premier League's youngest player when he introduced the then-15-year-old as a late substitute against Brentford.
Nwaneri showcased a maturity beyond his years on Wednesday, scoring in both halves to help Arsenal advance to the League Cup fourth round. Arteta was visibly pleased with the youngster's performance.
"He's improving daily," Arteta said. "You can tell he's playing without pressure, with confidence, with a way of making decisions that tells you that the boy is ready at this level. He had a really strong performance and I'm happy to see that."
The teenager received a warm reception from the home fans at Emirates Stadium, who chanted "Ethan Nwaneri, he's one of our own." "It's a great feeling when it's the club you love, the club you've grown up with, and the fans are chanting that," he said.
Nwaneri had previously been a late substitute in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sept. 15 but did not feature in the draw with City. "It's been intense, but I think it's definitely helped me as a player, and helped me to see what it's like, and how they prepare," Nwaneri said of his time with the senior team.
Nwaneri joined Arsenal when he was eight and was already playing for their under-18 side by the age of 14. His contribution was particularly valuable during a challenging period for the Gunners, with their next Premier League game against Leicester on Saturday followed by a Champions League clash with Paris St Germain three days later.
"They need to see the door is open, the possibility is there," Arteta said of his younger players. "It's achievable and hopefully that message gets across."
