JAKARTA - Ethan Nwaneri is only 18 years old, but he has to wait for a moment like this. He is one of the Arsenal stars who was on the rise last season, but luck was less in favor of him to be able to continue his work in the Gunners first team.
However, the full performance when Arsenal crushed Brighton & Hove Albion at the Carabao Cup on Thursday, October 30, 2025, early morning WIB, made him return to the spotlight.
Nwaneri scored a crucial opener in a 2-0 win over Brighton who was a reminder of his talent.
The finish was very beautiful, as was the previous move when Mikel Merino brilliantly provided feedback to defender Myles Lewis-Skelly to send an assist to Nwaneri.
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Nwaneri then fired a beautiful first-time shot past Brighton goalkeeper Jasonmen, and into the far corner of the net.
The goal in the 57th minute changed for the hosts' lead, before substitute Bukayo Saka scored the second goal with 14 minutes remaining. That's enough to put Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and will host Crystal Palace.
It's never easy for young players who suddenly become the center of attention to come back, especially when they take advantage of the best opportunities Nwaneri did last season.
With Saka who was injured, Nwaneri was suddenly asked to replace the most consistently threatening player.
He started in eight of 11 games from February to April 2025 before Saka recovered from the hamstring problem.
He showed performance which then gave him a profitable new five-year contract.
However, what happened next was the strengthening of the Arsenal squad. This makes him face unprecedented competition to get a place.
Arsenal recruited Noni Madueke to coat Saka, while Eberechi Eze came to strengthen the more central attacking midfielder position.
The arrival of the new recruits left Nwaneri eliminated. However, he again proved the feasibility to compete for big names.
Returning to the starting line-up on Thursday, October 30, 2025 - for the second time this season - overshadowed by excitement around other Hale End academy graduates, such as Max Dowman, who was 15 years and 302 days old as the youngest player ever to start for Arsenal.
Dowman is the brightest spark in the first half to outwit Diego Gomez and Maxim De Cuyper of Brighton, and the energy he makes in the stadium every time he passes someone with a ball stuck to his left leg is difficult to emulate.
Nwaneri evoked feelings similar to an important contribution, a beautiful goal with a left foot proved to be very effective when cutting from the right, like previous matches. It was Nwaneri's first goal since April 2025.
"He (Nwaneri) was really great. He also played a few days ago (against Atletico Madrid). He will have those chances."
"When he gets it, he has to maximize it. I think he scored very well."
"He did some actions that weren't very effective, but what I like is that he keeps trying, taking risks, and he doesn't change his determination or behavior to make things happen. In the end he gets a prize in the form of a brilliant goal," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
This is what Arteta wants from games like this. Reserve players take advantage of their moments to maintain positive momentum around the club.
This is their eighth straight win in all their 11th and clean-sheet events in 14 matches.
The Gunners manager made 10 changes, with only Eze keeping his place in the first line. Inevitably, there is a sense of harmony as a result, with Andre Harriman-Annius also making his debut by leading the front line.
Two goals from open play are effective replies for the Gunners who leveled their game in the second half.
After Nwaneri's opener, Harriman-Annius got a through ball, then his shot was pushed over. The ball vomit fell to Saka, who then grabbed the ball.
Saka entered a few minutes earlier to replace Dowman, who then left the field with a loud applause.
"He (Dowman) smiled small (when I told him he would play). That's what you're going to get from him."
"For him, everything is natural, everything is fine. That's how he plays. That's the secret, he doesn't really mind it."
"He only did what was best for him, namely playing football with courage and determination."
"Today he is again showing extraordinary skills, the ability to run past Premier League players (at the age of) 15 years, it's something really special."
"What is certain (he wants to play in the Premier League), if asked, sure. That's what we have to manage. Not only that, there are many new things in his life."
"We all need to be aware of encouraging him, but let's also protect him. When we need (academic players), they are there and ready," said Arteta.
Nwaneri was among those at the Emirates Stadium who took steps to prove it.
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