Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge have called on England manager Thomas Tuchel to include Arsenal’s teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri in the national squad following his stunning performance against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
The 17-year-old midfielder played a key role in Arsenal’s dominant 7-1 victory in the first leg of the Round of 16 on Tuesday, scoring his side’s second goal after an assist from Myles Lewis-Skelly. With that strike, Nwaneri became the third-youngest player to score in a Champions League knockout match.
Rooney & Sturridge Full of Praise
Former Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge expressed his belief that Nwaneri deserves a spot in the England squad, despite the pressures young talents often face.
“I hope he gets in the squad because he has been incredible. Sometimes as former England players and pundits, we do put pressure on young players, but looking at him—does he deserve to be in and around the squad? I believe so.” – Sturridge said on Amazon Prime Video.
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that Tuchel should seriously consider the Arsenal starlet for an England call-up.
Nwaneri’s Breakthrough Season
Nwaneri’s emergence this season has seen him shine across multiple competitions, scoring in the Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup. His performances have also impacted team selection at Arsenal, with Raheem Sterling—who joined the Gunners on loan last summer—finding himself benched in most matches.
The teenager first made headlines in September 2022 when he became the youngest player in Premier League history, making his debut at just 15 years and 181 days old. Now, with consistent standout performances, calls for his inclusion in the England senior team are growing louder.
With Tuchel yet to finalize his squad for upcoming international fixtures, the question remains—will Nwaneri receive his first senior England call-up?
