Ethan Nwaneri has praised his connection with Myles Lewis-Skelly after the academy graduates combined for Arsenal’s opening goal on Wednesday night.
Arsenal 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri made just his second start of the season for the Gunners on Wednesday, featuring in the lineup for the League Cup fourth round against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Though the much-changed midfield trio took a while to settle into the game, it was Nwaneri who eventually gave Arsenal a second-half lead, guiding home a first-time finish in the 57th minute.
Myles Lewis-Skelly had found Nwaneri in a bit of space in the area with a clever cut-back, and Nwaneri explained afterwards that the connection the two players developed in academy football served them well on this occasion.
“Me and Myles, from young, we’ve always had a good connection – he just sensed me there and I had the instinct that the far post was free,” Nwaneri recalled. “So yeah, I’m happy to get a goal.
“I think [the goal] just helps me to keep going. It’s just motivation. It’s always nice to score, so I’m just happy to help the team and ready to continue.
“It’s always nice to score at the Emirates, it feels so good.”
Another confidence booster came after the game, as Nwaneri ended up winning Arsenal’s Player of the Match award with 38.7% of the fan vote, narrowly beating Cristhian Mosquera (29.6%) and Max Dowman (22.2%).
Arsenal’s continued progression in the League Cup will keep the games coming thick and fast for Mikel Arteta’s side, with the FA Cup coming up in January and the Champions League’s League Phase still ongoing alongside the Premier League games.
There should be plenty more opportunities for Nwaneri to make the starting lineup again over the coming months, and he’ll want to keep making the most of them to earn a more regular spot in the side.