"The future belongs to him" "Hale End produces certified ballers" - Fans hail Arsenal star after 3-0 win over Preston in EFL Cup

Several Arsenal fans online lavished praise on Ethan Nwaneri after the Gunners won 3-0 against Preston North End in Round 4 of the EFL Cup on Wednesday. The Hale End graduate was one of the standout players in a star-studded Arsenal lineup at Deepdale Stadium.

Nwaneri scored Arsenal's second goal (33') after Gabriel Jesus gave them the lead in the 24th minute. The English midfielder received the ball at the edge of the penalty box and produced an inch-perfect left-footed curler to double Arsenal's lead. He could've gotten his second in the 77th minute but was denied by the woodwork.

Nwaneri was also a key orchestrator in the Gunners midfield, missing just one pass. His passing accuracy was 98% (55/56). Additionally, the teenager lost just two ground duels in the game.

(The abovementioned statistics are taken from Sofascore on October 31, 2024. the site is privately owned and may change the statistics in the future as per their prerogative.)

Arsenal fans praised the Hale End graduate, earmarking him as the next big thing in the club.

"The future belongs to Ethan Nwaneri," a fan wrote on X.

"Ethan Nwaneri? yeah Hale End produces certified ballers," another fan commented.

One fan declared the English teenager a generational talent, writing:

"Good game. Ethan Nwaneri is a generational talent."

"Only problem is gonna be how do you play Odegaard and Nwaneri?" another fan noted.

Many fans opined that Mikel Arteta should use Nwaneri more in the Premier League.

"I think it’s time Mikel Arteta gives Ethan Nwaneri a go in the premier league. It’s due already and well deserved," one user said.

"Nwaneri is ready to to start having a big impact in the Premier League - he was exceptional tonight," another fan wrote.

Ethan Nwaneri now has three goals this season in six games across competitions.

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Arsenal prodigy Ethan Nwaneri hailed Kevin De Bruyne as his childhood idol

Manchester City v Real Madrid CF: Quarter-final Second Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24 - Source: Getty

Ethan Nwaneri once hailed Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne as his childhood idol. De Bruyne has been one of Pep Guardiola's indispensable assets.

He joined The Cityzens from VfL Wolfsburg in 2015 for €76 million (via Transfermarkt). The Belgian midfield maestro has lived up to his price tag, recording 103 goals and 171 assists in 388 games for Manchester City. He has also won six Premier Leagues, one FIFA Club World Cup and one Champions League, among others for the club.

In an August 2024 interview (via @Editor_ANS and posted by @centregoals on X), Nwaneri hailed the De Bruyne as his childhood idol.

"Growing up, my idol was definitely De Bruyne," he said. "The way that he plays, his passing style, when I was younger I tried to copy what he was doing."

However, Ethan Nwaneri has yet to play against the Belgian in his senior career.