Arsenal ran out 6-0 winners against West Ham United at London Stadium on Sunday to keep up their chase with Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the table, and the rout afforded manager Mikel Arteta to hand Ethan Nwaneri his second-ever Premier League appearance.
The 16-year-old became the youngest-ever Arsenal player and the youngest player to appear in the English top-flight when he came on against Brentford in September 2022 aged 15, and he replaced Gabriel Martinelli yesterday in the 77th minute.
The Gunners had found themselves 6-0 up in the 65th minute, and Nwaneri got his long-awaited chance 17 months after his debut.
His senior teammates Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were impressed with his cameo, taking to Instagram to comment and shower praise on him.
Arsenal fans have been frustrated that Arteta has not been giving the academy youngsters the chance to prove themselves anytime the opportunity presented itself, and he did not hesitate to throw Nwaneri into action yesterday.