Nwaneri battles Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Chelsea starlets for PFA Young POTY

Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri has been named among the top six nominees for the 2024/25 PFA Young Player of the Year award, capping off a stunning breakthrough campaign for the 18-year-old midfielder.

The other nominees include Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez, former Cherries defender Dean Huijsen, Chelsea striker Liam Delap, Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers and Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Nwaneri’s inclusion on the shortlist follows a season in which he made 37 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners, scoring nine goals and providing two assists.

His consistent performances and attacking flair have earned him widespread recognition, making him one of the standout young talents in English football.

A product of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, Nwaneri burst onto the scene in 2022 when he became the Premier League’s youngest-ever player.

Since then, he has steadily risen through the ranks, earning the trust of manager Mikel Arteta and cementing his place in the first-team squad during the 2024/25 season.

Despite representing England at youth level, Nwaneri is also on the radar of Nigeria’s senior national team.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is reportedly monitoring the London-born attacker ahead of the team’s return to 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying action, sparking debate about a potential international switch.

His nomination follows in the footsteps of fellow Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, who won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2022/23 and received nominations in multiple seasons.

Wale Adejumo

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