Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history when he came on for Arsenal against Brentford in 2022, aged 15 years and 181 days.
He progressed quickly through Arsenal’s academy and broke into the first team in 2024/25, scoring several goals as an attacking midfielder or on the right wing. He is left-footed, with close control and the confidence to shoot from distance.
In September 2026 Arsenal loaned him to Borussia Dortmund for the season, a move designed to give him regular first-team football. Nwaneri has represented England at youth level.
Playing style
Nwaneri is a left-footed attacking midfielder with close control, quick feet and the confidence to shoot from distance. He can play on the right wing, cutting inside onto his left foot, or as a No. 10 behind the striker. He is creative, dribbles well in tight spaces and has an eye for goal, as he showed with several strikes in his breakthrough season at Arsenal. He is still developing physically and tactically, which is why a season of regular football at Dortmund is seen as an important step.
International career
Nwaneri has represented England at youth level and is regarded as one of the country’s most exciting young talents. His loan at Dortmund is expected to strengthen his case for a future senior call-up.
Career in numbers
Nwaneri’s senior club career, which began in 2022/23, has so far brought 66 appearances and 12 goals for 3 clubs. The 2024/25 season, with 9 goals from 37 matches for Arsenal, remains his highest tally. So far in 2026/27 he has made 4 appearances for Borussia Dortmund. The full season-by-season record is in the Stats section of this profile.