Ethan Nwaneri Becomes Arsenal's Second-Youngest Player in Champions League Knockout Stage, Following Cesc Fàbregas

Ethan Nwaneri, at 17 years and 348 days, became the second-youngest Arsenal player to feature in a Champions League knockout stage match. The youngest was Cesc Fàbregas, who was 17 years and 309 days old during a game against Bayern Munich in March 2005. 

Nwaneri's rapid rise through the ranks is noteworthy. Born on March 21, 2007, in Enfield, England, he joined Arsenal's academy at eight years old. By 14, he was playing for the Under-18s, and at 15 years and 181 days, he made his Premier League debut against Brentford in September 2022, becoming the youngest player in Premier League history. 

In January 2025, Nwaneri scored in a 2-1 Champions League victory over Girona, making him the second-youngest Englishman to score in the competition, after Jude Bellingham.