Sports
After Eddie Nketiah shines against Norwich: 7 Arsenal youngsters who burst onto the scene and what happened next
The teenager rescued the Carabao Cup tie with his double at the Emirates – but who has been in this position before?
Eddie Nketiah is the name on every Arsenal fan’s lips after his Carabao Cup heroics.
The teenager stepped off the bench to send the Gunners into the next round with two goals in a dramatic win over Norwich.
He scored within seconds of entering the fray and then headed in an extra-time winner.
It was only his second appearance for the club, having appeared as a late substitute against BATE Borisov.
It remains to be seen what is next for Nketiah, with Thierry Henry leading the plaudits after his double.
He is of course not the only Gunners youngster to burst onto the scene in style under Arsene Wenger – largely in the League Cup.
Here are some of those that made their mark – and what they did next.
Jack Wilshere
The midfielder broke onto the scene at the tender age of 16, making his debut as a substitute in the Premier League win at Blackburn in 2008.
His first start came 10 days later in the League Cup win over Sheffield United with Wilshere also grabbing his first goal with a fine strike from distance.
He spent time at Bolton the following campaign before becoming a first-team regular and was tipped for the very top before injuries took their toll.
Appears to be getting back to his best after a disappointing season at Bournemouth.
David Bentley
Bentley seemed destined for a long career in north London when he broke through in the 2002-03 campaign.
After a handful of outings in the League Cup, he scored his first goal against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup – beating Mark Schwarzer with an impudent chip.
It didn’t get any better from there though and Bentley joined Blackburn before a big-money move to Tottenham.
Bentley’s form dipped after a decent start at White Hart Lane and he retired in 2013, aged just 29.
Jay Simpson
After a loan spell at Millwall, Simpson was in given his debut as a substitute in the League Cup win over Sheffield United in 2008.
But it was in the next round against Wigan when he really made his mark, scoring twice in a 3-0 win.
He made just one more appearance for the club though, finally leaving permanently in 2010 after a series of loan moves.
Simpson is still playing with Philadelphia Union in the States.
Kieran Gibbs
Like so many of that crop of players, Gibbs also made his Arsenal bow against Sheffield United in the League Cup.
He finally established himself as first-choice left-back when Gael Clichy moved on to Manchester City.
Gibbs struggled for action last season though and moved on to West Brom in the summer to end his long association with the Gunners.
Carlos Vela
The Mexican burst onto the scene at the start of the 2008-09 season, scoring three times in the 6-0 demolition of Sheffield United.
His second was a devastating chip over Paddy Kenny and Vela looked set for a long career in north London.
It didn’t quite pan out like that though as Vela joined West Brom on loan before completing a move to Real Sociedad, where he is now in his sixth season.
Sanchez Watt
Watt made an immediate impact at the Emirates, scoring on his debut in the win over West Brom.
He made a couple more League Cup appearances but like so many Gunners academy prospects, he slipped away.
Watt finally left permanently in 2013 after a string of loans and even had a short stint in India.
Made a handful of appearances at Crawley last season.
Reiss Nelson
The youngster was introduced into the first-team in pre-season and he hasn’t disappointed.
Nelson has been a regular in the Europa League and Carabao Cup and is being tipped to reach the very top.
Surely Arsenal will not let him slip through the net.
Former Arsenal star, Jack Wilshere, has sent a message to the Gunners ahead of their UEFA Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal will take on the French Ligue 1 giants in the Champions League final this year in Budapest on Saturday evening.
Mikel Arteta’s side had lost 3-1 on aggregate against PSG in the Champions League semi-final stage last year.
Speaking on TNT Sports (via GOAL), Wilshere remembered Arsenal about their last year’s defeat to PSG and urged them to use it as a revenge to get a win against Luis Enrique’s side when both sides meet again this weekend.
“Now that the Premier League is over the line, I know that the Premier League was the one. I know that Mikel wanted that. I know that the boys wanted that,” Wilshere said.
“Now you have to go through some tough times and learn from it. I hope that the Champions League semi-final [PSG 3-1 Arsenal] last year hurt them enough that they can go on and use that [against PSG].
“I think when you are on the pitch, and you are playing against your direct opponent, you learn so much about them. And to face them next year, they will be better for that.”
Captain of the Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade, has said the team is determined to become the best women’s football team in the world.
Ajibade spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a reception hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of the Falcons following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Nigerian ladies clinched their 10th continental title after a hard-fought campaign, further cementing their status as Africa’s most successful women’s team.
Ajibade, in an emotional speech, said the team’s goal goes beyond continental glory.
“We’re not content to rest on our laurels. Our vision is bold. We want to become the best women’s football team in the world,” the Atletico Madrid star said.
She described herself as “a proud daughter of Nigeria” and paid tribute to the dreams of young girls across the country who look up to the team.
“This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream,” she said.
Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of the team, coaches, and technical crew, thanked the Federal Government for its support and appealed for continued investment in women’s football.
President Tinubu, in his address, conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew.
The President also approved the allocation of three-bedroom apartments to each team member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player, while members of the technical team received $50,000 each.
He praised the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and inspiring unity through their performance.
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said.
“You have inspired me too. You represent the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you and the next generation.”
The President said the Falcons’ WAFCON victory was not just a sporting feat but a symbol of the courage, discipline and resilience that define Nigerians.
“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency,” he said.
The reception was attended by top government officials, sports administrators, and stakeholders in the football community.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Super Falcons on their historic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
The Falcons, who came from two goals down to seal the win in Rabat, clinched their 10th WAFCON title—further cementing their status as the most successful team in the history of the competition. Reacting to the victory, Oseni described the performance as “a warrior’s triumph that speaks volumes about the indomitable Nigerian spirit.”
In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele in Ibadan, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said the team’s resilience should serve as a symbol of hope and unity for the entire nation. “They refused to surrender. That comeback from two goals down defines who we are as Nigerians—strong, focused, and unstoppable when united,” he said.
The Falcons had gone behind in the 13th minute when Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak capitalised on a loose ball to fire past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The hosts doubled their lead through Sanaâ Mssoudy before halftime, putting Nigeria on the back foot before the break.
However, second-half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini turned the game on its head, securing victory for Coach Justin Madugu’s side and avenging their 2024 semi-final loss to the North Africans. Oseni also hailed Madugu’s tactical brilliance, describing him as “the architect of a new chapter in women’s football in Nigeria.”
The lawmaker who also chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) joined other national figures, including President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in celebrating the Falcons. The President had earlier taken to his verified social media accounts to praise the team’s performance, declaring, “Mission X: Complete!” while Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, described it as a flawless display of Nigerian spirit.
Oseni urged the Falcons not to rest on their laurels but to build on the momentum ahead of their title defence and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “This is just the beginning. You have inspired millions of girls across the continent. Keep flying the flag and keep making Nigeria proud,” he added.
He also called on sports authorities and private stakeholders to invest more in women’s football, noting that the team’s success was proof of the untapped potential in the sector. “We have global stars in the making. Now is the time to give them the platform and support they truly deserve,” the lawmaker submitted.
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