The record of being the youngest Premier League player ever is a highly coveted one. It means becoming a man before time, and in the case of homegrown talents, it adds another measure of much-needed vindication to British scouting practices.
The youngest Premier League player ever also looks set to make a major step up for Arsenal, as he helps fill in for club captain Martin Odegaard, who is set for a significant spell on the sidelines.
So, who is the latest boy wonder of the world's toughest league, and how does his future look? We delve into this question, and look at how he compares to others young starlets of years past.
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1. Ethan Nwaneri: The youngest Premier League player ever
There has been much buzz around Ethan Nwaneri of late, nearly two years after the wonderkid became the youngest Premier league player ever.
The England youth star looks set to play an enlarged role in the coming months for Arsenal, as skipper and talisman Odegaard suffered ligament damage while on international duty with Norway.
With Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira both off the books, the now 17-year-old creative midfielder is the only natural replacement for Odegaard in the Gunners' ranks.
It is unlikely Nwaneri will start against Atalanta or Manchester City, but upcoming games against Bolton Wanderers, Leicester City and Southampton look ripe for starts for the talented young man.
How did Nwaneri get here?
Nwaneri started 2022/23 with the under-18s to play under the management of a former Arsenal prodigy, Jack Wilshere, but was fast tracked into the under-23s side within a few weeks.
The Arsenal starlet's September 2022 appearance for the Gunners against Brentford at age 15 years, 181 days old made him comfortably the youngest ever Premier League player, making his debut a full six months earlier than previous record holder, Harvey Elliott. Elliott was 16 years, 30 days old, making Nwaneri the first player ever to play in the Premier League under the age of 16.
Nwaneri joined Arsenal at just nine years old, and has remained there ever since. The 2007-born midfielder was long considered a prodigy, and was already playing for the club's under-18s side at just 14.
What's next for Nwaneri?
Nwaneri continued to impress for Wilshere's under-23s throughout 2023/24, averaging 0.97 goals and assists per 90, including impressive performances against senior sides in the EFL Trophy.
He also made another Premier League appearance against West Ham, with Arteta mentioning that “the players on the bench whispering to bring Ethan on” indicated how promising a player he is.
Nwaneri played a large role in Arsenal's 2024/25 pre-season, particularly with more senior players still recovering from international tournaments.
Nwaneri appeared in every game, making three substantial cameos and making starts against Manchester United and Bournemouth. He recorded a superb assist in the former.
The aforementioned departures of Vieira and Smith Rowe, as well as the injury absences of Odegaard and new signing Mikel Merino have now granted Nwaneri a chance to prove himself in competitive fixtures for his boyhood club.
2. Harvey Elliott (Fulham) – 16 years, 30 days old
As mentioned above, Harvey Elliott, now of Liverpool, is the second youngest player to make their Premier League debut, in 2018/19.
Elliott, now 21, has made 76 Premier League appearances, scoring four goals from midfield.
3. Matthew Briggs (Fulham) – 16 years, 68 days old
Another Fulham player held the record prior to Elliott and that was Matthew Briggs. The left-back made his debut in 2006/07, but would have to wait until 2010/11 for his next appearance.
A Guyana international, Briggs retired in 2023, having played throughout England's football pyramid.
4. Izzy Brown (West Bromwich Albion) – 16 years, 117 days old
England youth international Izzy Brown was a prodigy at academy level, and made his West Bromwich Albion debut at a startlingly young age in May 2013.
The highly-rated youngster joined Chelsea, but was never able to kick on at senior level and suffered from injuries that led to his premature retirement in 2023.
5. Aaron Lennon (Leeds Utd) – 16 years, 129 days old
Once the youngest player to sign a boot deal with Adidas at just 14, Aaron Lennon made his Premier League debut all the way back in August 2003.
Lennon had a successful Premier League career as a fleet-footed winger, making his 443rd and final top flight appearance in May 2022.
Looking for more Premier League records? Check out our look at the highest-scoring seasons in Premier League history.
