England U19 captain Ethan Nwaneri, an exciting Super Eagles-eligible prospect, has been shortlisted for the Carabao Cup Goal of the Round after delivering a memorable performance for Arsenal.
The attacking midfielder’s goal came as he doubled the lead for the Gunners in the 33rd minute of their 3-0 victory over Preston North End at Deepdale, securing Arsenal’s place in the competition’s quarterfinals.
The 17-year-old, a Hale End Academy graduate, made his mark by scoring his second Carabao Cup goal of the season. Following a brace in his debut against Bolton Wanderers, Nwaneri continued his impressive form with a stunning curled effort, assisted by Gabriel Jesus.
The precision and finesse of Nwaneri’s strike earned him a spot among the six nominees vying for the Carabao Cup Goal of the Round.
Nwaneri faces stiff competition from Sheffield Wednesday’s Djeidi Gassama, Southampton’s James Bree, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, Tottenham’s Pape Sarr, and Manchester United’s Casemiro.
Despite his young age, Nwaneri’s performance places him among the tournament’s standout players. He currently holds an 8.49 rating, ranking him fifth for players with at least two appearances, trailing only behind elite performers like Gakpo (9.37) and Manchester United trio Alejandro Garnacho (9.04), Casemiro (8.57), and Bruno Fernandes (8.55).
Adding to the excitement, Nwaneri has reportedly been included in Arsenal’s Champions League squad for their upcoming clash against Inter Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, as he was spotted boarding the team flight from Luton Airport on Tuesday, November 5.
