Arsenal’s teenage sensation, Ethan Nwaneri, etched his name in Champions League history on Wednesday night, becoming the third-youngest player to score in a knockout stage match as the Gunners dismantled PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in their last-16 encounter.
The 17-year-old academy graduate rifled home a first-time finish from Myles Lewis-Skelly’s cross to net Arsenal’s second goal of the night, marking his eighth strike in what has been a breakthrough season under Mikel Arteta.
With key players sidelined due to injuries, Nwaneri has stepped up in Arsenal’s attack, delivering yet another crucial goal when it matters most.
At 17 years and 348 days, Nwaneri now sits behind only Bojan Krkic (17 years, 217 days) and Jude Bellingham (17 years, 289 days) as the youngest players to score in a Champions League knockout match.
He also surpasses Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, who scored at 17 years and 363 days.
His inclusion in Arsenal’s starting lineup made him only the third English player to start a Champions League knockout fixture before turning 18, joining an elite group featuring Bellingham and Phil Foden.
In a historic moment, Nwaneri’s goal—set up by fellow Hale End graduate Lewis-Skelly—marked the first time two English teenagers had combined for a goal in Champions League history.
Arsenal’s dominant display left them all but certain of facing either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals. Captain Martin Odegaard was full of praise for the club’s rising stars.
