Arsenal’s rising star, Ethan Nwaneri, has earned a well-deserved spot in WhoScored’s Premier League Team of the Week for Game Week 25 after a standout performance against Leicester City.
The 17-year-old forward, who is on the radar of the Super Eagles, made a significant impact as Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. He provided his first senior assist, delivering a precise cross that led to Mikel Merino’s opening goal in the 81st minute.
A Dribbling Masterclass
Nwaneri’s performance wasn’t just about the assist—he showcased his dribbling prowess, completing seven successful dribbles, more than any other Premier League player over the weekend. His skillful display earned him an impressive WhoScored rating of 9.69, securing his place in the Team of the Week as a right-sided midfielder.
Who Else Made the Team?
Nwaneri is joined in midfield by:
• Ryan Christie (Bournemouth)
• Carlos Alcaraz (Everton)
• Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)
The defensive lineup includes:
• Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)
• Defenders: Yankuba Minteh (Brighton), Jan Bednarek (Southampton), Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United), Djed Spence (Tottenham)
Leading the attack alongside Nwaneri’s Arsenal teammate Mikel Merino—who scored a brace—is Everton’s Beto.
Nwaneri’s Season So Far
The young forward has been one of Arsenal’s breakout stars this season, featuring in 24 matches across all competitions, including 15 Premier League appearances. With seven goals and one assist, he continues to make a strong case for more first-team opportunities.
Super Eagles Stars Miss Out
While several Nigerian internationals, including Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Paul Onuachu, and Joe Aribo, were in action during Game Week 25, none made it into the Premier League Team of the Week.
With performances like this, Ethan Nwaneri is proving to be a rising talent to watch—both for Arsenal and possibly for Nigeria in the near future.
