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Nwaneri makes history with Arsenal goal at Brighton

5 Jan 2025
Brighton & Hove Albion FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League

Seventeen-year-old emulates Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and others after scoring second Premier League goal

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Ethan Nwaneri joined elite company when he scored Arsenal's first-half goal in their 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.

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The 17-year-old became only the sixth player to score more than once in the Premier League before turning 18, having also netted in November's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, and the first from Arsenal.

Nwaneri cut in from the right wing, where he was deputising for the injured Bukayo Saka, to beat Bart Verbruggen with a low shot and give Gunners the lead after just 16 minutes.

Nwaneri's goal v Brighton

And although he was replaced by Gabriel Martinelli at half-time due to a muscular issue, and Joao Pedro equalised for Brighton, it was still a memorable and historic night for the teenager, who was making only his second Premier League start at the age of 17 years and 290 days.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp likened Nwaneri to Saka when speaking about his goal.

"Nwaneri had one thing on his mind," Redknapp said. "'I'm going to get my shot away and get a goal.'

"Declan Rice was in a better position but he is full of confidence and it was Saka-esque, the way he cut in on that left foot. The 'keeper should have done better but he [Nwaneri] will not care one bit."

The other five players who scored multiple Premier League goals while aged 17 or under were Wayne Rooney (seven goals), Michael Owen (five), Danny Cadamarteri (three), James Milner (three) and Federico Macheda (two).

Players aged under 18 with multiple PL goals
  Club Goals
Wayne Rooney Everton 7
Michael Owen Liverpool 5
Danny Cadamarteri Everton 3
James Milner Leeds Utd 3
Federico Macheda Man Utd 2
Ethan Nwaneri Arsenal 2

Furthermore, the goal was Nwaneri's fifth in all competitions this season, having scored three in the EFL Cup.

That made him only the third player to score five or more goals in all competitions in a single season before turning 18, after Owen in 1997/98 and Rooney in 2002/03.

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