I have officially returned the Man of the match award to Him, forget about my performance yesterday,but He’s the one that truly deserves it, He’s truly our unsung hero last night”, Ethan Nwaneri named the ONE Arsenal player that truly deserves the Man of the match award last night and Not Him This came after fans Flooded Nwaneri DM to return the Award to the rightful and He finally did

Ethan Nwaneri’s Heartfelt Gesture: Returns MOTM Award to Mikel Merino After Arsenal’s Win
In the aftermath of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Leicester City on February 15, 2025, 17-year-old prodigy Ethan Nwaneri made a remarkable gesture by handing his Man of the Match award to teammate Mikel Merino. Despite his own standout performance, which included a crucial assist, Nwaneri insisted that Merino’s game-changing contributions deserved the recognition.

Merino’s Impact: The True Game-Changer
Arsenal struggled to find a breakthrough until the 81st minute, when Nwaneri delivered a pinpoint cross, allowing Merino to head home the opener. The Spanish midfielder, who came on as a substitute, then sealed the victory with a second goal, ensuring all three points for the Gunners.

Post-match, Nwaneri downplayed his own performance and instead praised Merino’s decisive impact:

“Forget about my performance yesterday; he’s the one that truly deserves it. He was our unsung hero last night.”

A Gesture of Respect & Team Spirit
Nwaneri’s decision to return the award was partly inspired by Arsenal fans, many of whom flooded his DMs urging him to acknowledge Merino’s key role. The young star’s humble act highlighted the strong sense of unity and mutual respect within the Arsenal squad.

Merino, in turn, dedicated his performance to his wife, Lola, revealing with a laugh that he had forgotten to buy her a Valentine’s Day gift. “I think she’ll appreciate this more than a rose or some chocolates,” he joked.

A Squad United in Pursuit of Glory
Beyond the heartwarming camaraderie, Arsenal’s win was crucial in the Premier League title race, cutting the gap to leaders Liverpool. With a team built on talent, humility, and selflessness, the Gunners are shaping up as serious contenders for the crown.

As the season unfolds, moments like these reinforce Arsenal’s championship ambitions, proving that their greatest strength lies not just in individual brilliance but in the collective spirit of the team.
That’s a classy move from Nwaneri, especially for a 17-year-old. It speaks volumes about his character and the team-first mentality Mikel Arteta has instilled at Arsenal. Merino’s impact off the bench was clearly game-changing, and Nwaneri’s gesture just reinforces the unity within the squad.

It’s also interesting that Arsenal fans played a role in this—shows how much they appreciate Merino’s contributions. With this kind of camaraderie, do you think Arsenal have what it takes to push Liverpool all the way for the title this season?