Mikel Arteta reveals 17-year-old talent "very close" to Arsenal first team
The England youth international was still under schoolboy terms when he became the Premier League's youngest-ever player in September 2022, coming off the bench in a 3-0 triumph over Brentford.
Nwaneri was just 15 years and 181 days old when he made his bow at the Gtech Community Stadium, overtaking Harvey Elliott as the youngest man to turn out in the competition.
Arsenal tied Nwaneri down to scholarship terms last year to ward off growing interest in his services, with both Manchester City and Chelsea reported to be keeping tabs on his displays.
On the back of making his second first-team appearance in February's 6-0 thrashing of West Ham United and continuing to shine at youth level, the 17-year-old put pen to paper on his first professional contract towards the end of last month.
Arteta urges Nwaneri to take opportunity with both handsRegarded as one of the brightest teenage prospects in the Premier League, Arteta expressed his joy for Nwaneri before Wednesday's 2-0 win over Luton Town and revealed that the teenager is on the brink of promotion to the senior squad for good.
«I was really happy [for Nwaneri signing a professional contract]. He had a great day, he had all his family and important people around him,» the Daily Mail quotes Arteta as saying.
«A really proud moment to see another academy graduate signing his pro contract. He is very close to the first team. The opportunity is there, now he needs to take it.»
Nwaneri did not make the Arsenal squad for their midweek win over Luton, but the England Under-17 international has gone from
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