Nigeria-British-born Ethan Nwaneri was over the moon to have marked his first senior start with two goals in Wednesday’s 5-1 win over Bolton.
The Hale End graduate netted brace to help send Arsenal through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
“I’m buzzing,” he said. “I’m so happy to have helped the team go through to the next round and just ready for whatever’s next.”
Supporters at Emirates Stadium liked what they saw, so much so they began signing “Ethan Nwaneri, he’s one of our own.”
“It’s a great feeling when the club you love, the club you’ve grown up with the fans are chanting that,” he said. “So yeah, it’s a good feeling.
“It’s a surreal feeling. It’s a feeling I’ve wanted to feel for almost 16 years of my life so to actually feel it, it’s crazy… just want more of it.
“All them players that I’ve played with since I’ve been like 9 and now we’re on the big pitch together, it’s a crazy feeling. You know, it’s good.”
Nwaneri has been regularly involved with the first team in recent weeks, playing in the north London derby and travelling to the huge game against Manchester City.
“It’s been tough,” he said. “It’s been intense, but I think it’s definitely helped me as a player, helped me to see what it’s like, how they prepare. I think I’ve added that to my game, so definitely it’s been good to be around them players.
“100% I think there’s a perfect balance for when they’re on me and kind of telling me what to do, but definitely I think they definitely put an arm around me as well so I think it’s a good balance.”
