Another Nwaneri is making waves at Hale End. Emerson Nwaneri, the 15-year-old younger brother of Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri, has etched his name into the club’s youth record books after scoring his first goal at Under-18 level.
The teenager found the net in Arsenal’s 4-1 defeat to Tottenham in the U18 Premier League on Tuesday afternoon, registering the Gunners’ only goal on a difficult day for the side. While the result was sobering, Emerson’s strike carried historic weight. At just 15 years, five months and 30 days old, he has become the fifth-youngest scorer in Arsenal U18 history.
That achievement places him in rare company. Only Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman, Myles Lewis-Skelly and former Hale End graduate Yunus Musah managed to score at a younger age.
Ethan still holds the club record, having netted at just 14 years, one month and 13 days old, a milestone that underlined his prodigious talent. Now, his younger brother appears to be tracing a similar path.
Emerson’s rapid rise has gathered momentum in recent months. Last month, he became the youngest player ever to start for Arsenal’s U21 side, featuring in a Premier League 2 clash against Liverpool and surpassing a record previously set by Ethan in 2022.
Earlier in the season, he announced himself further with a hat-trick in a thrilling 4-3 victory over Chelsea at U16 level. His performances have not gone unnoticed, earning him a scholarship contract ahead of next season and a call-up to England’s U16 squad for upcoming fixtures against Denmark, Spain and France.
While Emerson’s star is rising in north London, Ethan’s development continues abroad. The 18-year-old is currently on loan at Olympique de Marseille after finding minutes limited in Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing squad.
However, his spell in Ligue 1 has faced uncertainty following the dismissal of Roberto De Zerbi, a key influence in facilitating the move.
Ethan was an unused substitute in Marseille’s first match after the managerial change, despite featuring regularly beforehand.
