Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri has been shortlisted for the prestigious 2024/25 PFA Young Player of the Year award, marking a milestone moment in what has been a spectacular breakthrough season for the 18-year-old midfielder.

Nwaneri is joined on the six-man shortlist by some of the most exciting young talents in the Premier League, including Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, Chelsea striker Liam Delap, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, Arsenal teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Juventus-owned defender Dean Huijsen, who had a loan spell at Bournemouth.

A product of Arsenal’s famed Hale End Academy, Nwaneri made headlines in 2022 when he became the Premier League’s youngest-ever player. Fast forward to 2024/25, and the dynamic playmaker has blossomed into a first-team regular, making 37 appearances, scoring nine goals, and assisting twice for Mikel Arteta’s side.

His eye-catching performances and maturity beyond his years have not only drawn praise across England but have also attracted international attention. While Nwaneri has represented England at various youth levels, reports indicate that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is keeping a close watch on the London-born star with Nigerian heritage, raising speculation about a potential international allegiance switch ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Nwaneri’s nomination echoes the achievements of Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka, who won the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2022/23 and has since become a consistent nominee. Whether Nwaneri will follow in Saka’s footsteps remains to be seen, but his rise signals the emergence of yet another Hale End graduate destined for stardom.