Arsenal wing wizard Ethan Nwaneri broke a Premier League record in his 'Lionel Messi-like' performance against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners marked their return from Dubai with a 2-0 triumph at the King Power Stadium, as makeshift centre-forward Mikel Merino bagged a late brace off the bench in the final 10 minutes.
Merino's first header was set up by 17-year-old wonderkid Nwaneri, who pipped his Spanish counterpart to the man of the match award and earned the highest praise possible in the process.
Nwaneri was compared to eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi by former Premier League champion Joe Cole after lighting up the King Power Stadium, where he was visibly a level above all other players on the pitch in the first half especially.
The 2007-born phenom - who remains the youngest-ever player to feature in the Premier League - completed a staggering seven successful dribbles alongside his assist, while also going agonisingly close to scoring himself, hitting the woodwork twice.
Nwaneri surpasses Saka in marvellous Leicester display
© Imago
Despite not being able to add to his seven goals for the season, Nwaneri still earned a slice of Premier League history, as he is the youngest player since records began (in 2003-04) to set up a goal and complete five dribbles in one game in the competition.
The 17-year-old has surpassed none other than his superior Bukayo Saka in that specific category, as his fellow Hale End graduate was 18 years and 164 days when he managed that feat against Newcastle United in February 2020.
Both goalscorer Merino and right-back Jurrien Timber waxed lyrical about Nwaneri's exceptional display in the lunchtime kickoff, where the teenager registered his first-ever assist in an Arsenal jersey.
Nwaneri's seven goals in all tournaments also makes him Arsenal's joint third-highest scorer this season, level with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli and only behind Saka (nine) and Kai Havertz (15).
However, Nwaneri is the only member of that quintet who is currently fit to play, as Jesus and Havertz are both out for the season, while Saka and Martinelli will take weeks to recover from their own hamstring problems.
Arteta admits to "question mark" over Nwaneri selection
17y 331d - Ethan Nwaneri is the youngest player on record (since 2003-04) to complete 5+ dribbles and assist a goal in a Premier League match, with the previous-youngest being Bukayo Saka (18y 164d v Newcastle in 2020). Pipeline. pic.twitter.com/0MauFnGIKt
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 16, 2025
While Mikel Arteta has hitherto been hesitant to throw Nwaneri into the first XI given his age, the Spaniard has now admitted that he is in no place to demote the 17-year-old while he continues to perform in his current vein.
"His age is something that puts a question mark on how we have to deal with him, but every time that he's given us, he's always 'let me go, let me go, let me go.'" Arteta said in his post-game press conference.
"When a player is giving you all those signs, you shouldn't stop it, and you have to play with that freedom, that creativity, that confidence that he's playing with at the minute and the players around him are believing in him. So, let him go because he's a massive threat, massive talent and he deserves to play."
Nwaneri will be expected to retain his place in the starting lineup when Arsenal host West Ham United on Saturday afternoon, one day after the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Gunners will meet one of Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven, Juventus or AC Milan in the last 16 of the competition, which resumes with the playoff second legs on Tuesday.
Ben Knapton
