Seventeen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri dazzled in his first start for Arsenal, scoring a remarkable double as the Gunners triumphed 5-1 over League One side Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the EFL Cup.
The young talent, alongside 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter, showcased the club’s commitment to nurturing youth as they continued their pursuit of silverware.
Arsenal got off to a strong start when seasoned midfielder Declan Rice opened the scoring in the 12th minute, curling a delightful shot from the edge of the area into the net.
The Gunners maintained their momentum, doubling their lead eight minutes before halftime. Nwaneri found the net for the first time as he skillfully slid the ball home following a precise assist from Raheem Sterling.
The burgeoning star didn’t stop there, netting his second just after the break. Capitalizing on a defensive error by Bolton’s Chris Forino, Nwaneri coolly squeezed the ball underneath goalkeeper Luke Southwood, further solidifying his impact on the game.
However, the visitors briefly sparked hope with a counterattack led by Aaron Collins, who rounded Porter to score and reduce the deficit. Unfortunately for Bolton, their celebrations were short-lived as Sterling scored his first Arsenal goal shortly thereafter. Substitute Kai Havertz capped off the scoring, rounding off a comprehensive win for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Nwaneri’s performance has raised eyebrows, especially as he registered two goals from his only two shots on target, concluding the game with an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.67. His remarkable finishing was only surpassed by Sterling’s 0.85 xG.
Sterling, for his part, made history by playing alongside teammates from two different generations, as he has shared a pitch with Jamie Carragher, born in January 1978, and now Porter, born in July 2008, all before celebrating his 30th birthday.
With Nwaneri’s impressive display and the Gunners’ overall performance, Arsenal fans are left buzzing with excitement for the future. The win not only secures their spot in the next round of the EFL Cup but also highlights the club’s promising young talent coming through the ranks.
