Fifteen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history when he came on as a substitute for Arsenal as they returned to the top of the Premier League with a comfortable 3-0 win at Brentford on Sunday.
It was one of only two games played on Sunday after Manchester United’s home game against Leeds and Chelsea’s game against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge were both postponed. The games – both heavy on history – were deemed to require more security than was available after police resources were diverted to the Queen’s funeral.
In the day’s other game, Everton were hosting West Ham.
Brentford keeper David Raya fails to keep a ball from Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus out.Credit:Getty Images
At Brentford, goals from William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus gave Arsenal a 2-0 lead at the break before Fabio Vieira completed the win in the 54th minute.
Nwaneri, who is 15 years and 181 days old, came on as a substitute for Fabio Vieira in the second minute of stoppage time, the first player under 16 to play in the competition.
The previous youngest player to feature in the league was Harvey Elliott, now of Liverpool, who was 16 years, 38 days old when he made his top-flight debut for Fulham.
Arsenal had suffered their first defeat of the season in their last outing, at Manchester United, but never looked in danger, controlling the game from the outset.
Saliba got things under way, heading the visitors in front in the 17th minute, rising to angle a corner from Bukayo Saka in off the far post.
Another header, 11 minutes later, doubled Arsenal’s advantage with Grant Xhaka picking out Gabriel Jesus with a perfectly floated cross from the left which the Brazilian met powerfully.
The game was put beyond Brentford in the fourth minute after the break thanks to a wonderful strike from outside the box by Portuguese midfielder Vieira, which rattled in off the post.
“We have a different mentality this season. We kept going and are training like we play and have class with the players that can make a difference,” said Arsenal midfielder Xhaka.
“More than happy we are in a good way but a long way to go.”
Arsenal are on 18 points from the opening seven matches of the season with defending champions Manchester City a point behind and north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur also on 17 points.
The defeat leaves Brentford in ninth place on nine points
