Ethan Nwaneri has been pictured wearing the number 22 shirt for the first time, marking a fresh chapter in his exciting Arsenal journey.
The 17-year-old playmaker was snapped in the new jersey during Arsenal’s pre-season activities, with the number recently vacated by David Raya, who has now taken the number 1 shirt for the upcoming campaign.
Ethan Nwaneri pictured wearing number 22 for the first time.
Image: Arsenal pic.twitter.com/9Db0XHiGCE
— Jeorge Bird (@jeorgebird) July 21, 2025
Nwaneri making his mark early
Nwaneri has been highly rated within the Arsenal setup for years and continues to be fast-tracked into the first-team environment under Mikel Arteta. His early involvement in pre-season, coupled with the allocation of a more prominent squad number, signals Arsenal’s growing belief in his long-term future at the club.
After signing his first professional contract earlier this summer, Nwaneri is expected to be involved more regularly in first-team training and could feature in cup competitions throughout the season. The switch to 22 suggests he’s now viewed as more than just a youth prospect.
A sign of trust from Arteta
Giving Nwaneri a first-team number ahead of the Asia tour shows the trust Arteta and his staff have in the teenager. While the likes of Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz dominate minutes in attacking midfield, Nwaneri’s technical quality and spatial awareness continue to impress.
With Arsenal pushing for silverware on multiple fronts, having talented depth like Nwaneri will be crucial. His development will be closely watched this season, especially as he begins to integrate into the senior squad more regularly.
Author Opinion
It may only be a shirt number, but for Ethan Nwaneri, wearing 22 is a major step forward. Arsenal fans will be hoping this is the season he makes his long-awaited impact at the top level and the signs are already positive.
