Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri has a chance to break two Premier League records when his team faces Chelsea on Sunday at the Emirates.
If the English youth international of Nigerian descent scores, he will become the first player under 18 to score in a London derby and could also surpass a long-standing record held by James Milner.
Nwaneri, 17, has been a regular in Mikel Arteta’s squad this year, stepping up amid injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka.
Playing mostly on the right wing, he has made 28 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing one assist. His performances have been crucial as Arsenal navigates a difficult season.
Despite missing out on an England call-up like his academy teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri remains a key figure for Arsenal.
He is close to surpassing Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney’s joint record of nine Premier League goals before turning 18. Sunday’s game will be his last chance to achieve this milestone before his birthday on March 21.
The only player under 18 to score against Chelsea in Premier League history is James Milner, who found the net for Leeds in December 2002 at 16 years and 356 days. If Nwaneri scores, he will break that record before the international break begins.
Arsenal have scored in every match against Chelsea since August 2021, and Nwaneri is one of their most dangerous attacking options.
As Chelsea aim for a fifth consecutive win, the young forward will hope to make history in front of the home crowd.
