A star in the making: Precocious talent Nwaneri scores first competitive hat-trick for Arsenal U21s

Highly-rated England underage international of Nigerian descent, Ethan Nwaneri enhanced his burgeoning reputation with an eye-catching performance for Arsenal's development squad in their 4-1 win over Leicester City in a Premier League 2 fixture at Meadow Park on Friday night.

The Hale End Academy product ended speculation over his future by signing a scholarship deal before the start of the season, and the precocious talent has continued to play above his age group.

For the second consecutive game in the new season, Nwaneri was named in the starting lineup along with two other players of Nigerian descent, goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri and striker Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.

In what was his eleventh career appearance for the young Gunners in the Premier League 2, Nwaneri brought the game back to parity with a close range effort in the third minute of first half stoppage time. 

Two minutes before the hour mark, the attacking midfielder tapped home to give Arsenal the lead for the first time in the game.

After James Sweet doubled the advantage, Nwaneri scored his third of the game with six minutes left on the clock - his first competitive hat-trick for Arsenal U21s.

The Anglo-Nigerian wonderkld will be aiming to make his third career appearance against Football League opposition next Tuesday when Arsenal face Swindon Town in the group stage of the Papa Johns Trophy. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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