Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City ‘interested’ in Ethan Nwaneri

Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City are tracking a potential move for Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri, according to the Times. It comes after a debut for the midfielder in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Brentford, being substituted from the bench in injury time.

The 15-year-old broke a Premier League and Division One record by becoming the youngest ever player to make an appearance in the league.

Nwaneri was called up to the first-team in training after a number of injury issues within the squad, eventually taking part in the squad on matchday.

Discussing the decision to give him an appearance, manager Mikel Arteta said: “It was a pure gut feeling. I met the boy (and) really liked what I saw.

“Per Mertesacker and the academy staff are giving me really good information, Edu as well. I met him, he’s trained a couple of times with us. Yesterday he had to come because we have injuries, especially the injury of Martin (Odegaard), and then I had that feeling from yesterday that if the opportunity could come that I was going to do it and I just done it.”

The appearance, along with several other young stars in the squad, shows there is a pathway to first-team. However, the interest from other Premier League clubs may be a cause for concern, for more reasons than one.

Firstly, there may be the allure of joining such clubs, as seen in the summer as Omari Hutchinson left the Gunners for rivals Chelsea. On top of that, Nwaneri isn’t currently eligible for a scholarship until he turns 16 in March, meaning he has no long-term commitment to the club.

It remains to be seen how his future plays out but there will be hopes that his recent appearance could keep him at the Emirates Stadium for years to come.