Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge urge Thomas Tuchel to call-up Arsenal teenage star to his first England squad

Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge have urged Thomas Tuchel to call up Ethan Nwaneri following his stunning performance against PSV Eindhoven in Tuesday’s first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

The 17-year-old wonderkid appeared in the starting lineup and played 71 minutes, scoring the second goal in the match that concluded with a 7-1 demolition by Arsenal at Philips Stadion.

With his goal coming from inside the box, Nwaneri became the third-youngest goalscorer in a Champions League knockout phase match, following an assist from Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Former Liverpool star Sturridge and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney were full of praise for Nwaneri as they both reflected on whether the youngster would fit in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

‘I hope so, and I hope he (Nwaneri) gets in the squad because he has been incredible,’ said Sturridge on Amazon Prime Video when quizzed whether the German may have been watching Nwaneri’s display.

‘Sometimes as former England players, and as pundits we do heap pressure on young players, but looking at him, is he ready? Is he showing the qualities that he deserves to be in and around it? I believe so.’

The German has been handed the task to leading the national team and is scheduled to announced the squad for March’s qualifiers against Latvia and Albania

Sturridge has expressed his belief that Nwaneri is ready for his senior England debut following his performance against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday

Nwaneri’s strong form was undoubtedly a decisive factor for Mikel Arteta to surpass the injury crisis in the Gunners’ attacking line.

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz are all unavailable, while midfielder Mikel Merino was moved to the striker position in order to fill the gap.

‘I think he is definitely (ready for his first England call-up). Over the last couple of years with England, we’ve seen players getting an opportunity with England who haven’t deserved the opportunity,’ added Rooney.

‘That’s my opinion. I think Nwaneri, he’s showing he’s got the temperament the right attitude to be in that squad. If he keeps doing what he’s doing he’ll have a great chance.’

Nwaneri’s breakthrough campaign has seen Raheem Sterling – who joined the Gunners last summer over a loan deal – benched on most Arsenal games.

The Chelsea loanee appeared in the 71st minute yet failed to make a significant contribution.

Meanwhile, Nwaneri shone in all competitions this season, recording Premier League, Champions League and Carabao cup goals.

The wonderkid became the youngest player in Premier League history in September 2022, debuting at the age of 15 and 181 days.

Rooney has highlighted that Nwaneri should be included in the national squad, especially after several players did not deserve this opportunity

The 17-year-old scored the second goal of the game following an assist from team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly

Former Arsenal star Theo Walcott believes Lewis-Skelly is also ready for his senior England debut

Since then, he has made 29 appearances for the senior squad, scoring eight goals and delivering one assist within just 1,033 minutes.

Nwaneri has nine games in the England Under 19s squad between April and November 2024.

The Champions League clash on Tuesday was also remembered by Arteta’s early substitution of defender Myles Lewis-Skelly just 34 minutes into the game after the player narrowly avoided a second yellow card for a brutal foul on Richard Ledezma.

The 18-year-old has also taken the Premier League and European football by storm amid Arsenal’s injury setbacks in the defensive line.

In response to Sturridge and Rooney’s claims, fellow pundit Theo Walcott expressed his desire to the Lewis-Skelly called up for Tuchel’s next England squad.

He said: ‘That’s a position in the England team where there’s an opportunity. For someone who is playing at the highest level in the Champions League for Arsenal, under a manager you can learn so much from, why would you not pick him? 

‘He’s playing with so much confidence. What a year he’s having and what a career he’s going to have.’