Ethan Nwaneri is “absolutely ready” to receive his first senior call-up from England, according to former three lions Vooruit Wayne Rooney.
The 17-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season with Arsenal, without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.
Nwaneri has certainly understood his chance and scored eight goals in all competitions.
The winger continued his fine shape with a goal in Arsenal's 7-1 thrashing from PSV in the first stage of their Champions League Last-16 draw on Tuesday.
In 17 years and 346 days old, he became the third-year-old player who scored in the knockout phases of the competition, after Bojan Krkic and Jude Bellingham.
Nwaneri is being tipped to be called in Thomas Tuchel's first English team later this month for the qualifications of the World Cup against Albania and Latvia.
Rooney, who scored 53 goals for the Three Lions, remains the youngest player who finds it just before his nation and does this against Macedonia in September 2003 (17 years, 317 days).
And the forward striker believes that Nwaneri – a scorer of 22 goals at the age of England – deserves a chance at senior level.
“I think he's sure [ready for his first England call-up]”Rooney told Amazon Prime.
“In recent years with England we have seen players get a chance with England who did not earn the chance. That is my opinion.
“I think Nwaneri, he shows that he has the temperament and the right attitude to be in that team. If he keeps doing what he is doing, he has a big chance.”
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– Arsenal (@ARSENAL) 4 March 2025
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