Confirmed: History-making midfielder Nwaneri handed new shirt number at Arsenal

History-making attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri has been handed a new shirt number at Arsenal for the 2025-2026 season, the Gunners informed via the official website on Thursday morning. 

Nwaneri, who etched his name into the record books by becoming the youngest-ever Premier League player at just 15 years and 181 days, will wear the number 22 jersey from next season.

Nwaneri made his senior debut in a 3-0 win against Brentford on September 18, 2022, coming off the bench to make Premier League history.

The number 22 shirt becomes available with the conclusion of the current season as Spanish goalkeeper David Raya is set to switch to the number 1 jersey, traditionally reserved for first-choice shot-stoppers.

Over the years, the number 22 has been worn by a host of former Arsenal players, including Pablo Marí, Denis Suárez, Jeff Reine-Adélaïde, Yaya Sanogo, Francis Coquelin, Gaël Clichy, Oleg Luzhnyi, David Grondin, Ian Selley, and club legend David O'Leary.

Nwaneri initially wore number 83 during his historic debut, before switching to 63 the following season for first-team and EFL Trophy matches.

He has been donning the number 53 shirt throughout the 2024–2025 campaign.

The Hale End Academy graduate has enjoyed a breakout season in his first full year with the senior squad, tallying 11 goal involvements—nine goals and two assists—across 36 appearances in all competitions.  

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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