No home debut for unused sub Nwaneri as Soucek, Mavropanos goals deny Arsenal first place 

England U17 international of Nigerian descent Ethan Nwaneri received his second call-up for a Premier League game as Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League table after a 2-0 loss to West Ham United in a London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night. 

Nwaneri has trained several times with the Gunners first team since his return from Young Lions duty at the 2023 Fifa U17 World Cup in Indonesia. 

In what was his third squad involvement this term, the talented midfielder was a non-playing substitute, which is not surprising given that Arsenal were chasing the game after conceding twice. 

Had he featured, it would have been a home debut for the Anglo-Nigerian as he made his senior debut at the Gtech Community Stadium, where he became the youngest player in history to feature in the top-flight of English football aged 15 years and 181 days on September 18, 2022.

West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen was deemed to have kept the ball in play in the build-up to West Ham’s opening goal netted by Tomas Soucek in the 13th minute.

Excellent defending, not to mention rugged resistance, saw David Moyes’ side protect their lead at the end of the first half.

Nine minutes into the second half, Arsenal old boy Konstantinos Mavropanos headed in to double the Hammers advantage. 

West Ham are up to sixth following their win while Arsenal are two points behind table toppers Liverpool at the halfway stage of the campaign. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

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