Ethan Nwaneri, at just 17 years and 348 days, became the youngest Englishman to start a Champions League knockout game, only the third ever before turning 18. He showcased his talent as he started on the right wing for Arsenal in their last-16 first leg against PSV. Nwaneri scored his eighth goal of the season, marking the first instance in Champions League history where two English teenagers combined for a goal. He follows Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham in achieving this milestone. Additionally, he is Arsenal’s second youngest player to appear in a Champions League knockout match.
Ethan Nwaneri has become only the third English player to start a Champions League knockout match before reaching the age of 18.
The 17-year-old was once again chosen to start on the right wing for the Gunners’ last-16 first leg match against PSV on Tuesday night – broadcast live on talkSPORT.
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Nwaneri has made a name for himself as a crucial player for the north London club, especially with star Bukayo Saka sidelined due to injury.
In what has been an extraordinary debut season, the gifted teenager netted his eighth goal of the season against PSV.
He delivered another stellar performance in the first half, scoring Arsenal’s second goal as Mikel Arteta’s side led 3-1 at halftime.
He struck the ball into the top left corner from six yards after a set-up by Myles Lewis-Skelly.
This goal marks the first occasion in Champions League history that two English teenagers have combined for a goal.
Nwaneri’s start against PSV is a landmark moment for the attacking midfielder, who, at 17 years and 348 days, has become the youngest Englishman to start a Champions League knockout fixture for Arsenal.
He joins the ranks of Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham in starting a knockout game in the tournament before turning 18.
Foden was the inaugural English player to achieve this feat in March 2018 when he featured in Pep Guardiola’s squad for Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat against Swiss team Basel in the last-16 second leg.
Bellingham later followed suit for Borussia Dortmund during their last-16 first leg win over Sevilla in February 2021.
With two Champions League goals already to his name, Nwaneri has outscored Foden, who netted none in his first season in Europe’s elite competition.
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He has doubled Bellingham’s goal count from the 2020/21 season.
In another remarkable statistic, Nwaneri is now Arsenal’s second youngest player to participate in a Champions League knockout match.
The record belongs to former captain Cesc Fabregas, who was 39 days younger than Nwaneri when he made his historic debut.
Fabregas’ record-breaking performance occurred against Bayern Munich in March 2005.
Among Arsenal’s youngest Champions League participants, Nwaneri ranks fifth on the list.
Jack Wilshere is the sole player to have made his Champions League debut at 16, doing so against Dynamo Kyiv in November 2008.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles follows as the versatile midfielder – currently at Lyon – appeared off the bench against Galatasaray in 2014.
Bayern winger Serge Gnabry, another Hale End product, was also 17 during his match against Schalke in October 2012, with Fabregas taking fourth place with his participation against Panathinaikos in October 2004.
The victor of the PSV vs Arsenal matchup will face the winner of the Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid last-16 clash.