Gary Lineker has urged for clarity over the pronunciation of Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri’s surname as the teenager continues his meteoric rise. The 17-year-old delivered another stunning performance in Arsenal’s 7-1 Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven, further cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. His goal in the match made him only the fourth player aged 17 or younger to score in the knockout stage of the competition.
Following his latest display, Alan Shearer was full of praise for Nwaneri on The Rest Is Football podcast, describing his performance as “absolutely outstanding.” However, as his prominence grows, so does the debate over how to pronounce his surname. Lineker, the long-time Match of the Day host, expressed the need to settle the matter, noting that many commentators pronounce it similarly to “Ranieri.” He insisted that, given the player’s potential stardom, it is crucial to get his name right.
“I know this is not the most important thing we’ll discuss on the podcast, but I think this kid is going to be a star,” Lineker said. “Everyone is saying his name as if it was Claudio Ranieri, but we need to sort it out one way or another. If I’m wrong, my apologies.” The ongoing discussion highlights how quickly Nwaneri has become a key figure at Arsenal and a potential future star for England.
With Arsenal dealing with a significant injury crisis, Mikel Arteta has had little choice but to rely on Nwaneri, who has stepped in seamlessly. The teenager has been deputizing for Bukayo Saka and is expected to play a crucial role in Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester United. Arteta, however, dismissed the idea that Nwaneri needs any extra motivation. “I don’t think he needs any pushing!” he said. “Every time he has the ball, you see his intention. It’s about consistency now, doing it again three days later in another big stadium.”
Nwaneri’s rapid rise has even led to speculation about a call-up to the England senior squad under new manager Thomas Tuchel. Joe Cole, speaking on TNT Sports, was among those advocating for the Arsenal youngster to bypass the Under-21s and go straight into the senior setup. “For me, he’s so good that he doesn’t need the U21s,” Cole said. “He needs to go straight in with Thomas Tuchel, get around the squad and get some minutes because he’s an England player for the next 10-15 years.”
Cole went even further in his praise, labeling Nwaneri as possibly the most exciting young footballer in Europe. “Wonderful talent, great mentality—he’s at the right club at the right time,” he added. “I’ll be stunned if Tuchel doesn’t have a good look at him and bring him into his first squad. I think he’s going to be an absolute genius.” Such high expectations underline just how highly rated the teenager already is in English football.
Arsenal fans will be hoping Nwaneri can continue his impressive form as the Gunners chase silverware on multiple fronts. His composure, technical ability, and eye for goal have already made him a vital asset for Arteta, despite his tender age. If he maintains this trajectory, a senior England call-up may not be far away, adding to the excitement surrounding his development.
For now, Arsenal’s focus remains on securing a crucial win at Old Trafford, where Nwaneri could once again play a defining role. Whether or not his name pronunciation is settled soon, one thing is certain—Ethan Nwaneri is a name everyone in football will need to remember.