Arsenal’s Teen Duo Makes History in Premier League Start

WOLVERHAMPTON, England — Arsenal teenagers Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly made history on Saturday, becoming the first pair of English players aged 18 or under to start a Premier League game for the club in nearly 27 years. The duo, both products of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, were named in the starting lineup for the Gunners’ 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium.

Nwaneri, 17, and Lewis-Skelly, 18, have been standout performers in the 2024/25 season, earning their places in Mikel Arteta‘s first-team plans. Nwaneri has made 20 appearances across all competitions, while Lewis-Skelly has featured 17 times, including six Premier League starts since his debut in September.

The last time Arsenal started two English teenagers in a league match was in February 1998, when Arsene Wenger fielded Matthew Upson and Paolo Vernazza against Crystal Palace. That game, like Saturday’s, ended in a 1-0 victory, with Gilles Grimandi scoring the decisive goal.

“It’s a proud moment for the academy and the club,” said Arteta after the match. “Ethan and Myles have shown incredible maturity and quality. They deserve this opportunity, and they took it with both hands.”

Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly are part of a growing trend at Arsenal, where Arteta has handed game time to eight teenagers this season. The club’s commitment to youth development has been a hallmark of its strategy, with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe among the recent success stories.

Saturday’s win marked only the sixth time in Arsenal’s Premier League history that two English teenagers have started a match together. The rarity of the feat underscores the significance of Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly’s achievement.

Arsenal’s victory at Molineux also extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven games, keeping them in contention for the title. The Gunners will next face Girona in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, where Arteta is expected to rotate his squad.