Arsenal’s exciting young talent, Ethan Nwaneri, has left the door open for a potential international call-up from either Nigeria or England, as the 17-year-old midfielder looks set to represent whichever country approaches him first.
Born to a Nigerian father and an English mother, Nwaneri is eligible to play for both nations. A source close to the player has revealed that he will honor whichever country makes the first move, whether it’s his motherland, England, or his father’s country, Nigeria. This news has sparked intrigue among football fans and officials alike, with some wondering what the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is waiting for.
UK-based Nigerian journalist Shina Oludare posted on X (formerly Twitter), “A family source close to Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri tells me that the youngster will honor whichever country—Nigeria or England—approaches him first. What is the NFF waiting for?”
Although Nwaneri has represented England at the youth level, his situation mirrors that of fellow Arsenal player Alex Iwobi, who chose to play for Nigeria in 2015 despite his English background. If Nwaneri opts to follow in Iwobi’s footsteps, he would join a growing list of players, including William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, and Calvin Bassey, who have switched allegiance to Nigeria.
Nwaneri, an attacking midfielder or winger, has been making waves for Arsenal in the 2024/25 season, particularly in the absence of injured star Bukayo Saka. His impressive performances have drawn attention, and on Tuesday, Nwaneri made history by becoming the third-youngest player to score in a Champions League knockout match. At just 17 years and 348 days, he scored during Arsenal’s dominant 7-1 win over PSV Eindhoven, placing him behind only Bojan Krkic (17 years, 217 days) and Jude Bellingham (17 years, 289 days) for the record.
Nwaneri also made headlines during Arsenal’s 2-0 Premier League win over Leicester City in February, where he became the youngest player to complete five or more dribbles and assist a goal in a single match at just 17 years and 331 days—breaking a record previously held by Saka.
Having joined Arsenal at the age of eight, Nwaneri has now scored eight goals in 27 appearances across all competitions this season, further solidifying his potential as one of football’s brightest young stars. As the race for his international allegiance heats up, it remains to be seen which country will seize the opportunity to call up this prodigious talent.
