Arsenal prodigy Ethan Nwaneri has shared that Manchester City’s star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was his inspiration growing up. Despite not officially being promoted to Arsenal’s first team for the 2024-2025 season, Nwaneri has been training with the senior squad since pre season and has participated in high profile friendlies against teams such as Manchester United, Liverpool, and Bayer Leverkusen.
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Nwaneri, a product of Arsenal’s renowned Hale End Academy, confessed that he admired De Bruyne’s playing style, particularly his exceptional passing ability. While Arsenal’s academy has produced notable midfielders like Jack Wilshere, Emile Smith Rowe, and Nathan Tella, Nwaneri has been looking up to De Bruyne since the Belgian joined Manchester City in 2015. De Bruyne, who has recorded 112 assists for City, is widely regarded for his creative playmaking, a skill Nwaneri hopes to emulate.
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During a conversation with Arsenal’s captain, Martin Ødegaard, Nwaneri revealed, "Growing up, my idol was definitely De Bruyne. His passing style stood out to me, and I always tried to mimic what he did."
In September 2022, at just 15 years and 181 days old, Nwaneri made history by becoming the youngest player to debut in the Premier League, coming off the bench in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Brentford. Reflecting on his debut, Nwaneri recalled the overwhelming emotions of that moment, saying, "I didn’t know what to think. It all happened so quickly, but I think I handled it well."
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It’s always inspiring to see young players like Ethan Nwaneri aspire to greatness by modelling themselves after football legends. In this case, Nwaneri’s admiration for Kevin De Bruyne highlights not only the skill of the Manchester City star but also the hunger and vision of emerging talents. As Arsenal fans, we are eager to see how Nwaneri translates this influence into his gameplay as he continues to develop under the guidance of senior team players.
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Nwaneri’s rise through Arsenal’s ranks reflects a strong football education at the Hale End Academy. Arsenal has a proud tradition of nurturing young talent, but Nwaneri stands out not just for breaking records but for his maturity on and off the pitch. His idolisation of De Bruyne, known for his sharp football intellect and pinpoint assists, shows that Nwaneri is focused on adding creativity and intelligence to his game qualities that have long been admired in the football world.
It’s also a powerful reminder that football transcends teams and rivalries. Young players learn from their idols regardless of which club they play for, and it’s this blending of influence that can create a more versatile and skilful player. Nwaneri’s early exposure to first-team training and high-level pre-season friendlies has given him valuable experience that many young players can only dream of. We hope he continues to thrive under Arsenal’s and draws even more from the example set by his hero, Kevin De Bruyne.
Nwaneri’s journey is just beginning, and his future looks bright. If he continues to follow in De Bruyne’s footsteps and remains dedicated to his craft, there’s no doubt he will be a significant player for Arsenal in the years to come.
Did You Know?
Kevin De Bruyne has recorded over 100 assists in the Premier League, placing him among the top assist providers in the league’s history.
Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest Premier League debutant at the age of 15 years and 181 days.
Arsenal’s Hale End Academy is known for producing top talent, including the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
Nwaneri’s debut against Brentford made headlines as it broke the record set by Harvey Elliott, who debuted at 16 years and 30 days.
Manchester City’s De Bruyne has won multiple Premier League titles and is often regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world.