SETTABLOID

Former Arsenal man Paul Merson feels Ethan Nwaneri will have people “in his ear” telling him to “get away” but feels he should shun those voices, as he’ll get “looked after” at the Emirates.

As a 15-year-old, Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history, debuting in 2022. Sometimes, those moments can be a flash in the pan, but Nwaneri, now 17, is starting to show that’s not the case.

He bagged a brace in the League Cup third round against Bolton, and scored in the next round against Preston.

In the Gunners’ last game, against Premier League high-flyers Nottingham Forest, Nwaneri capped off a 3-0 win with his first league goal.

He bagged a brace in the League Cup third round against Bolton, and scored in the next round against Preston.

In the Gunners’ last game, against Premier League high-flyers Nottingham Forest, Nwaneri capped off a 3-0 win with his first league goal.

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has identified Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard as players opponents dread facing after the Gunners secured a commanding 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest. The win marked a return to form for Mikel Arteta’s side following the international break, with the duo orchestrating a fluid and dominant performance.

The Italian international, making his first appearance in over a month due to a knee injury, stepped into a reshuffled backline alongside Ben White, who is also facing a similar time out with an injury. The defensive unit excelled, keeping a clean sheet and limiting Forest to zero shots on target.

Saka opened the scoring in the 15th minute, receiving a well-weighted pass from Ødegaard before blasting a shot past Forest goalkeeper Sels. Second-half substitute Thomas Partey doubled the lead, while academy star Ethan Nwaneri sealed the win with a historic goal. The teenager became Arsenal’s second-youngest Premier League scorer, trailing only Cesc Fàbregas.

Mikel Arteta is almost back to full strength at Arsenal after a nightmare run of injury problems. Captain Martin Odegaard is back in the first team squad, playing a vital role in the win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Meanwhile Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, both of whom have suffered with injuries this season, were also in the starting lineup. Mikel Merino played a full part, as did Bukayo Saka, who has had niggling problems all season.

The only major names missing on Saturday were Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Ben White, but the former two of those were hardly missing, given they were both on the substitutes’ bench. White is a long-term absentee, alongside Kieran Tierney – although he is back in training – and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

A return to almost full-strength could lead Arteta and Arsenal to rethink their January transfer plans. The January window is not usually one the Gunners are particularly busy in, but with injury problems it may have been one they thought about making moves in.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is likely in the process of finalising plans for the upcoming January transfer window. Though the Gunners plan to be reactive rather than proactive, Arteta may be keen to strengthen his squad mid-season ahead of what will likely be a thrilling Premier League title race.

Following their 3-0 victory at home to Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Liverpool endured very different returns to action following the November international break. Tottenham thrashed Pep Guardiola’s side 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium while the Reds came from behind to beat Southampton.

In terms of possible winter window signings, there are limited options but it could be an opportunity for Arsenal to sound out players ahead of next summer’s trading period. Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao remains in the thoughts of Arteta while a new name is seemingly under consideration by those within Emirates Stadium.

Williams message

Though he has refused to entertain speculation over his future, Arteta will undoubtedly still be keeping a close eye on Williams. If that is the case, he would have likely been impressed by his display for Bilbao in La Liga action against Real Sociedad.

The Spain international created four chances in the game and his determination directly led to a goal. Having battled to keep hold of the ball in the penalty area, Williams was found in space with his lofted cross headed home at the back post by Oihan Sancet.

Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Premier League with their victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Goals from Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri secured a 3-0 win for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium in their first match after the November international break.

Mikel Arteta’s side went into the game nine points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League table and without a win in their previous four top-flight fixtures. That gap has now been reduced to six points, with the Merseyside club due to face Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal still have 26 more league games to play this season before the title race will be officially decided. The Gunners were handed a boost in the race for the title as Manchester City were beaten 4-0 at home by Tottenham Hotspur just a couple of hours after their win over Forest.

With Arsenal getting three points on the board in the Premier League for the first time since the start of October.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick did not mince his words after a dramatic 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo at Balaidos, where the Catalans squandered a 2-0 lead in the final ten minutes.

The German tactician delivered a stern message to his players both in private and during his post-match interviews, emphasizing the need for a stronger mentality and sharper focus.

Barcelona looked to be cruising toward victory thanks to goals from Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski. However, a red card for midfielder Marc Casado in the 82nd minute turned the tide of the match.

Just two minutes later, Jules Kounde’s individual error allowed Celta to halve the deficit. The hosts then completed the comeback with a stunning equalizer in the 86th minute, leaving Barcelona stunned and Flick fuming.

Flick addressed the team in the dressing room immediately after the game, waiting for Gavi to finish his media duties before gathering the squad.

Ethan Nwaneri scored his first ever Premier League goal against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The 17-year-old came on for Martin Odegaard in the second-half and sealed an important victory for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Nwaneri became Arsenal’s second youngest ever goal scorer in the competition, only beaten by Cesc Fabregas back in 2004.

The midfielder has now scored four goals in all competitions for the Gunners this season, having also scored a brace against Bolton and grabbing another against Preston in the Carabao Cup earlier this campaign.

Only Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz have scored more goals for Arsenal than Ethan Nwaneri in 2024/25.