Teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri marked a milestone in his career by netting his first goals for Arsenal, leading the team to a decisive victory over League One side Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup, securing a spot in the fourth round.
The 17-year-old, making his inaugural senior start, opened his account by tapping into an empty net following a precise cross from Raheem Sterling. He later capitalized on a mistake from arsenal vs bolton, intercepting a pass from Declan Rice and calmly rolling the ball under goalkeeper Luke Southwood.
Nwaneri’s contributions didn’t stop there; he also played a crucial role in Arsenal’s first goal in the 16th minute. His well-placed cross caused confusion in the Bolton defense, allowing Rice to slot home a composed finish into the bottom corner.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Nwaneri’s performance, stating, “You can tell he is playing with confidence and belief, and he understands what he needs to do on the pitch. He has always been ahead of expectations, and he deserves this opportunity. He is part of us and will continue to get minutes.”
The scoring continued in the second half when Sterling scored from close range in the 64th minute, marking his first goal in Arsenal colors on his starting debut after joining from Chelsea on transfer deadline day. Kai Havertz capped off a dominant performance by finishing a rebound following a saved shot from Sterling.
Bolton managed to find the net in the 53rd minute through Aaron Collins, who scored during a swift counter-attack, denying Arsenal’s teenage goalkeeper Jack Porter a clean sheet on his record-setting debut. At just 16 years and 72 days, Porter became the youngest player to start a first-team game for Arsenal, surpassing Cesc Fabregas’s long-standing record from October 2003.
Arteta reflected on Porter’s debut, saying, “We told him yesterday, and he was over the moon. It was a big step, but he reacted well, staying composed in training. What a remarkable way to break a record.”
The Carabao Cup has historically served as a platform for nurturing young talent, with past legends like Fabregas and Jack Wilshere starting their journeys in this competition. After a tough Premier League match against Manchester City, Arteta opted to field a youthful lineup, including debutants Porter, 18-year-olds Josh Nichols and Myles Lewis-Skelly, as well as Nwaneri. Teenagers Maldini Kacurri and Ismeal Kabia also made their first-team debuts off the bench.
With experienced players like Rice and Jorginho in midfield, alongside the dynamic duo of Saka and Sterling on the wings, Arsenal’s youngsters showcased their skills in a convincing win. As the club eyes its first Premier League title in over two decades, the contributions of these emerging talents could prove pivotal in a demanding season ahead.
Despite Collins’ goal, Bolton, sitting 58 places below Arsenal in the football league hierarchy, struggled to create significant chances, and defensive lapses ultimately cost them against a well-rounded Arsenal side.
