Promising striker of Nigerian descent Ethan Chidiebere Nwaneri lived up to the hype as one of the most talented players at the Hale End Academy after scoring on his competitive debut for Arsenal youth teams.

The 14-year-old was named in the starting lineup in Tuesday evening's U18 Premier League clash against Reading at Arsenal Youth Academy (Walthamstow, London), while Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan started in attack for the visitors.

The Arsenal squad was made up of only schoolboys with seven players making their debuts at this level, and this saw the likes of goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri, Zach Awe, Daniel Oyegoke, Mazeed Ogungbo, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Joel Ideho rested.

Ehibhatiomhan halved the deficit to 2-1 after first-half strikes from Arsenal duo Gower and Richards.

Two minutes from time, Nwaneri made it 5-1 after he was set up by Aaron Bennett.

Former Manchester City starlet Henry Timi Davies, who will be among the new intake of Arsenal's academy scholars for the beginning of next season, was not involved against Reading.

Arsenal's final home game of the season is against Aston Villa on Saturday before a derby against Chelsea on the final day of the regular season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel