in the Carabao Cup, some of Arsenal’s best young players have made their names.

You can add Ethan Nwaneri, who is 17 years old, to that list.

13Teenager Ethan Nwaneri was the man of the moment

Under Arsene Wenger, Cesc Fabregas made his debut for the first team against Rotherham in the third round in October 2003. At 16 years and 177 days old, he was the youngest player to ever start for the club. Two months later, in the fourth round against Wolves, he scored their youngest goal ever.

Jack Wilshere got his first goal in a 6-0 win over Sheffield United in the third round in September 2008. He was 16 years and 266 days old at the time.

Last night against Bolton, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta kept up the custom by throwing more record-setting teenagers from Hale End Academy into a third-round match.

Arteta has given starts to TWELVE academy players since taking over in December 2019, and four of them scored their first goals. But Nwaneri, who scored two goals, stole the show.

Nwaneri became the youngest Premier League player ever when he came on as a replacement away at Brentford in September 2022. He was 15 years and 181 days old at the time.

The young centre star scored twice before and after halftime at the Emirates, where Declan Rice scored the first goal in the 16th minute against the Trotters. It was his first start as a senior player.

Declan Rice opened the scoring for ArsenalCredit: PARice celebrates his openerCredit: ReutersNwaneri ran the show at the EmiratesCredit: AFPNwaneri celebrates his firstCredit: Getty

Along with Fabregas, Wilshere, and Arturo Lupoli, Nwaneri is Arsenal’s fourth youngest goal of the 21st century. He is 17 years and 188 days old.

In between the sticks with No.1, Arteta had a headache. David Raya was left out as a precaution because he hurt his thigh, Neto, the new player, was cup-tied, and 18-year-old Tommy Setford was hurt as well.

At the age of 16 years and 72 days, Essex-born goalkeeper Jack Porter beat out the great Fabregas to become the youngest player to ever start a game for Arsenal.

Porter is now two years younger than Nwaneri and holds the record for Arsenal’s youngest goalie in the club’s history. He is also the second-youngest player to play in an adult match.

In the 53rd minute, Aaron Collins beat Porter without having to make a save. Collins did this by going around the young player after a quick counterattack.

And with all the excitement at Hale End, Raheem Sterling’s first start since coming on loan from Chelsea this summer got a little lost in the action, even though he scored.

Five of Arteta’s starting eleven players were under 22 years old, with Bukayo Saka, Josh Nichols, and Myles Lewis-Skelly among them. Porter and Nwaneri were two of nine youth players who were among the many changes made to the team after Sunday’s Battle of the Etihad.

Back on the left Lewis-Skelly, 17, had an eventful adult debut last weekend against Manchester City. He got a yellow card for squaring up to Erling Haaland at the end of the game, but he got to start this game, and Nichols, 18, made his full debut at right back.

Nwaneri doubled his tallyCredit: GettyNwaneri had a night to rememberCredit: GettyRaheem Sterling got his first Arsenal goalCredit: GettySterling was all smiles in Arsenal redCredit: GettyAaron Collins pulled one back for BoltonCredit: GettyIt was nothing more than a consolationCredit: GettyKai Havertz got in on the actionCredit: GettyIt wrapped up the winCredit: Getty

Along with Ismeal Kabia, Maldini Kacurri, Ayden Heaven, and Alexei Rojas, other young Guns made up a strong bench. Kacurri and Kabia, both 18, made their starts late in the game as defenders and wings.

Everyone was watching Porter at first, who had only played U21 football for the first time in August. Raya, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, and Leandro Trossard were all left at home.

In the fifth minute, his first touch was shaky, and he was left on his behind. But Arsenal were so strong that Porter’s only real job before halftime was to stop an offside goal.

Nichols sent in a cross that Rice curled in, but Scott Arfield couldn’t stop it. Sterling then set up Nwaneri for a tap-in in the 37th minute.

The guests made a mistake in the back, which led to Nwaneri scoring a second goal in the 49th minute. Sterling and Kai Havertz scored the last two goals, completing a nearly perfect night in North London. Lewis-Skelly left the game on the hour mark with an injury.