The youngest player in Premier League history is a record that continues to fall victim to an increasingly youthful talent pool.
In fact, all across Europe the records continue to fall, with some that stood for decades dropping to the influx of young talent and skill.
Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal is the latest to break the record, coming on for the Gunners in September top flight action just before the international break. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta handed the youngster his chance after impressing in preseason and first-team training.
As he entered the pitch against Brentford to break the record, the Arsenal away fans sang, "He's got school in the morning, school in the morning!"
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Aged 15 years and 181 days, Ethan Nwaneri becomes the youngest player in #PL history! 🤩#BREARS | @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/7gepwExUaD
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 18, 2022
Youngest players in Premier League history
On September 18, 2022, Arsenal introduced Ethan Nwaneri as a late substitute in a 3-0 win over Brentford.
The youngster, who trained with the first-team squad that week, became the youngest player in Premier League history at 15 years and 181 days old.
His introduction broke the previous record of 16 years, held by then-Fulham midfielder Harvey Elliott, making Nwaneri the first 15-year-old ever in the Premier League.
In fact, Nwaneri becomes the youngest player in Big Five European League history as well, topping Luka Romero of Mallorca who debuted in La Liga at 15 years, 219 days in 2020. To put that in perspective, Romero's introduction beat a 60-year-old record by Kalman Gerencseri of Lens, whose mark of 15 years and 225 days had stood since 1960.
Arteta on Ethan Nwaneri:
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) September 18, 2022
"It was a pure gut feeling. I met the boy, I really liked what I saw. He trained with us a couple of times. I had that feeling yesterday that if the opportunity could come, I would do it. He deserves it."
Youngest players in Premier League history
| Player | Age | Club | Debut date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethan Nwaneri | 15 years, 181 days | Arsenal | Sept. 18, 2022 |
| Harvey Elliott | 16 years, 30 days | Fulham | May 4, 2019 |
| Matthew Briggs | 16 years, 68 days | Fulham | May 13, 2007 |
| Izzy Brown | 16 years, 117 days | West Brom | May 4, 2013 |
| Aaron Lennon | 16 years, 129 days | Leeds United | Aug. 23, 2003 |
| Jose Baxter | 16 years, 191 days | Everton | Aug. 16, 2008 |
| Rushian Hepburn-Murphy | 16 years, 198 days | Aston Villa | Mar. 14, 2015 |
| Reece Oxford | 16 years, 236 days | West Ham | Aug. 8, 2015 |
| Jack Robinson | 16 years, 250 days | Liverpool | May 9, 2010 |
| Jack Wilshere | 16 years, 256 days | Arsenal | Sept. 13, 2008 |
The youngest player to ever score a Premier League goal is Romeo Lavia of Southampton, who at 18 years, 234 days bagged a strike to help Saints upset Chelsea in August, 2022. That also broke a mark held by Harvey Elliott, who was part of the incredible 9-0 Liverpool win over Bournemouth just three days prior.
Who is Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal?
Still yet to reach 16 years old, Arsenal attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri has impressed in recent months, earning time with the first team.
Born to Nigerian parents, the youngster is an Arsenal youth product, having joined the club's youth setup at age nine. He has appeared for both the England U-16 and U-17 side as a 14-year-old.
Following a late July pre-season friendly against sixth-tier side Slough Town, which Arsenal deployed a mostly youthful lineup and lost 1-0, Slough manager Neil Baker singled out Nwaneri as a future talent to watch. “I understand their number 10 has got great feet, he’s only a real youngster,” said Baker. “I think he’s a real high hope for them at Arsenal. He’s got absolutely unbelievable ability."
When was Ethan Nwaneri born?
The Premier League's youngest-ever player was born on March 21, 2007. On this date...
- #1 song on this date (USA): Glamorous, Fergie (feat. Ludacris)
- #1 song on this date (UK): Walk This Way (Sugababes Vs Girls Aloud)
- Arsenal's current stadium The Emirates had already opened, replacing Highbury
- Eddie Money turned 58 years old
- Three days prior, 25-year-old Mikel Arteta, in his third year at Everton, played 90 minutes in a 1-0 win over Arsenal — the goal was scored by Andy Johnson, the goalkeepers were Tim Howard and Jens Lehmann, the referee was Mark Clattenburg, and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was in his 11th season in charge.
- An injured Thierry Henry had already made his final Arsenal appearance, destined to depart for Barcelona that summer.