Ethan: “This is a feeling I have wanted for 16 years” | Interview | News

Ethan Nwaneri was delighted to score two goals on his first senior appearance in Wednesday’s 5-1 win over Bolton.

Our Hale End graduate scored a brace to help us progress to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

“I’m excited,” he said. “I’m so happy I helped the team get to the next round and I’m ready for what’s next.”

The fans at the Emirates Stadium liked what they saw so much that they started chanting “Ethan Nwaneri, he’s one of us”.

“It’s a great feeling when the fans of the club you love, the club you grew up with, chant that,” he said. “So yes, it’s a good feeling.”

“It’s a surreal feeling. It’s a feeling I’ve wanted to feel for almost 16 years of my life, and to actually feel it is crazy… I just want more of it.”

“All these players I’ve played with since I was about nine, and now we’re on the big court together. It’s a crazy feeling. You know, it’s good.”

Ethan has been a regular part of the first team over the last few weeks, playing in the North London derby and travelling to our big game against Manchester City.

“It was tough,” he said. “It was intense, but I think it definitely helped me as a player. It helped me see what it’s like, how they prepare. I think I incorporated that into my game, so it was definitely good to be around those players.”

“I think 100% there’s a perfect balance of them sitting on me and telling me what to do, but I definitely think they put an arm around me as well, so I think it’s a good balance.”