Arsenal Prospect Stars for England U21s, Rice and Elliott Respond

Arsenal Starlet Impresses on First Start

Ethan Nwaneri made a significant impact for England U21s in their 4-2 victory over Portugal at The Hawthorns.

The Arsenal youngster, who recently turned 18, was handed his first start at this level by Lee Carsley and wasted no time making his mark.

Facing a strong Portuguese side led by Rui Jorge, Nwaneri showcased his talent early in the match.

Just 10 minutes in, he received the ball outside the box, cut inside, and delivered a superb finish into the corner—displaying a goal-scoring ability that has already become a trademark of his game.

Reactions from Declan Rice and Harvey Elliott

Nwaneri’s impressive display did not go unnoticed, with several high-profile players reacting to his performance.

The teenager has been enjoying a breakthrough season under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, where he has produced outstanding performances in the first team.

While some had speculated that he might bypass the U21s entirely and receive a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s senior squad, Thomas Tuchel opted to integrate him through the youth ranks for now.

After making an appearance as a substitute in the previous match, he was given his opportunity to start—and he delivered in style.

Following the game, Nwaneri took to Instagram to mark the occasion, prompting responses from Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly, who both responded with heart emojis.

Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott also joined in, calling him a “Young star!”

Senior England Call-Up on the Horizon?

Nwaneri’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable.

His performances at Arsenal have been consistently outstanding, and his ability to step up on the international stage suggests that he is more than capable of competing at the highest level.

Given his trajectory, Monday’s match could well be his last at U21s level.

With another few months of development under Arteta’s guidance, it would not be a surprise if he finds himself in contention for a senior England call-up in the near future.

Bukayo Saka’s rapid ascent to the national team serves as a precedent, and Nwaneri could follow a similar path.

If he continues to impress, it may only be a matter of time before he is wearing the Three Lions shirt alongside the likes of Rice and Saka.