The 15-year-old made his professional debut for Arsenal on Sunday, coming off the bench in the 3-0 win over Brentford, before he had even sat his GCSEs. 12 Nwaneri made his Prem debut at the age of 15 Credit: Rex Nwaneri replaced goalscorer Fabio Vieira late in the second half with the game already put to bed. His appearance as a substitute made him the youngest player in Premier League history at 15 years and 181 days. Nwaneri broke the record now held by Liverpool ace Harvey Elliott. Elliott was 16 years and 30 days old when he played for Fulham in 2019. On the decision to bring in Nwaneri, boss Mikel Arteta said it was “a pure gut feeling”. The Spaniard told Arsenal.com: “It was a pure feeling. I met the boy, I really liked what I saw. “Obviously Per and the academy staff gave me very good information about him as well. I met him, he has trained a few times with us. “Yesterday he had to come because we had the injuries, especially Martin, and then I had the feeling from yesterday that if there was an opportunity, that I would do it and I just did.” Arteta continued: “It’s another step, another experience. In your career not all steps are going to be forward. “After that, maybe it takes three back to go another one forward, but I also think it sends a very strong message about who we are as a club.” SunSport looks at the Premier League’s 11 youngest players.
Ethan Nwaneri – 15 years, 5 months, 28 days
Nwaneri came on in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Brentford on Sunday. An injury to team captain Martin Odegaard has given him a place in Arteta’s squad for the matchday. Nwaneri had a few touches of the ball in what was a straightforward win for the Gunners. 12 Nwaneri was a late second half substituteCredit: Getty 12
Harvey Elliott – 16 years, 1 month
Elliott held the record as the youngest Premier League player until Nwaneri’s debut. Elliott made his 2019 debut for Fulham in a 1-0 defeat at Wolves. He has since moved to Liverpool, where he is becoming a first-team regular for Jurgen Klopp’s side. 12 Elliott previously held the record after making his debut for Fulham in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Matthew Briggs – 16 years, 2 months, 7 days
Matthew Briggs was just two months from 16 when he made his Prem debut. The then Fulham defender played in the 3-1 defeat by Middlesbrough in 2007. Briggs failed to hit and dropped the divisions. The 31-year-old now plays for Gosport Borough. 12 Briggs now plays for Gosport BoroughCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Izzy Brown – 16 years, 3 months, 27 days
Izzy Brown made his West Brom debut in 2013. The striker played in the 3-2 defeat at Wigan. Brown moved through the Chelsea academy ranks but failed to make an impact at Stamford Bridge. In fact, the now 25-year-old was one of the many academy stars who was consistently loaned out. Now, however, he is without a club. 12 Brown was in Chelsea’s youth system for years before being releasedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Aaron Lennon – 16 years, 4 months, 7 days
Aaron Lennon makes the list having made his Prem debut at 16 for Leeds. He played in the 2-1 defeat against Tottenham – a team he has continued to play for. Lennon was also a regular for England and won 21 caps for his country. The 35-year-old last played for Burnley but is now without a club. 12 Lennon started his career and went on to play for EnglandCredit: Getty
Jose Baxter – 16 years, 6 months, 9 days
Jose Baxter played for Everton as a 16-year-old in 2008 against Blackburn. The Englishman was a late second-half substitute in the 3-2 defeat. Baxter, 30, went on to play for Tranmere, Oldham and Plymouth before playing in the United States. He is now retired. 12 Baxter had a career in England’s lower leagues Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy – 16 years, 6 months, 14 days
Now Swindon player Rushian Hepburn-Murphy played for Aston Villa in 2015. He played in the 4-0 win over Sunderland. Hepburn-Murphy played just one more Premier League game for Villa. The 24-year-old had a spell in Cyprus for Paphos before moving to Swindon this summer.
Reece Oxford – 16 years, 7 months, 24 days
Undoubtedly one of the biggest what ifs. Rhys Oxford starred as a 16-year-old in West Ham’s win over Arsenal in 2015. The Hammers won 2-0 and Oxford got Mesut Ozil. But Oxford lost their way after handing over a major contract. And after several loan spells, he moved permanently to Germany where he now plays for Augsburg. Oxford is showing signs of improvement and has statistically been one of the best English centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues. 12 Oxford beat Ozil on his Prem debut Credit: PA:Empics Sport
Jack Robinson – 16 years, 8 months, 7 days
Making your debut as a youngster in defense is not easy, but Jack Robinson has managed it for Liverpool. The then 16-year-old played in the 2010 0-0 draw with Hull, keeping a clean sheet. After leaving Liverpool, the 29-year-old has now made a name for himself in the lower leagues. He now plays for Sheffield United.
Jack Wilshere – 16 years, 8 months, 12 days
One of the biggest names on the list. Jack Wilshere played for Arsenal in 2008 in a 4-0 win over Blackburn. The 16-year-old was one of England’s biggest talents but injuries hampered his career. So much so, Wilshere retired at the age of 30. Former England international Wilshere went on to play for the likes of West Ham and Bournemouth after leaving Arsenal. 12 Wilshere’s career has been hampered by injuriesCredit: AFP
Angel Gomes – 16 years, 8 months, 20 days
Angel Gomes was once one of Manchester United’s top prospects. The tough midfielder made his debut in 2017 against Crystal Palace. United won the game. Gomes, now 22, plays in France for Lille. 12 Gomes now plays for Lille in FranceCredit: PA
Honorable mentions
Among the names that did not make the top 11 is Man Utd and England legend Wayne Rooney. Rooney made his Everton debut aged 16, as did most of the players on this list. Prem legend James Milner was also a young teenager when he first played. Milner made his debut for Leeds in a 4-3 win over West Ham in 2002. 12 Rooney made his 16Credit: PA:Press Association debut
