Arsenal's Nwaneri scores historic goal against Nottingham Forest, breaks 18-year-old Nigerian record

Ethan Nwaneri scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal in their 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, breaking an 18-year-old Nigerian record in the process.

Unsurprisingly, the 17-year-old started the game from the bench and only came on in the 82nd minute, replacing Martin Ødegaard and it didn't take long before he had an impact on the game.

Four minutes after he came on, he passed to Raheem Sterling, the England international darted into the penalty box and he made a cut-back to the talented midfielder, who perfectly placed the ball beyond the reach of Matz Sels with a low shot.

At 17 years and 247 days old, the Arsenal starlet has now become the youngest player of Nigerian descent to score in the Premier League, overtaking Victor Anichebe who has held the record for 18 years.

The former Super Eagles striker scored for Everton against West Bromwich Albion on 7th May 2006, at 18 years and 14 days old to set the record.

According to statisticians at Opta, he is also the second youngest player to score for the Gunners in the Premier League, with only Cesc Fabregas, who scored against Blackburn Rovers on August 25, 2004 at 17 years and 113 days, being ahead of him.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for Mikel Arteta's side with a piece of brilliant effort in the 15th minute, drifting past Forest's defence before firing an unstoppable shot into the goalpost.

The England international then set up Thomas Partey for the second as the Gunners returned to winning ways to close the gap on Liverpool who are in action tomorrow against Southampton at St.Mary's Stadium.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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