With Mikel Arteta's introduction of a 15-year-old at Brentford on Sunday, Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history.
Ethan Nwaneri, 15, made Premier League history at Brentford, so Mikel Arteta's decision to choose him was based solely on "gut instinct."
After goals from William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus, and Fabio Vieira on Sunday, Arsenal was well on its way to a 3-0 victory over Thomas Frank's team when Arteta substituted Nwaneri in the waning seconds.
Nwaneri broke Harvey Elliott's record of 16 years and 30 days for Fulham to become the youngest player in Premier League history at barely 15 years and 181 days.
Fellow youngster Lino Sousa was not used as a substitute. Arteta claimed that Nwaneri's opportunity was made possible by the injury to Martin Odegaard and his standout performances for Arsenal's junior team.
"It was a pure gut feeling. I met the boy and really liked what I saw," the Gunners manager said.
"Per Mertesacker and the academy staff are giving me excellent information, Edu. I met Ethan; he's trained a couple of times with us.
"[Saturday] he had to come because we have injuries, especially the injury of Martin and then I had that feeling that if the opportunity could come that I was going to do it."
While Arsenal was in complete control as Nwaneri was introduced with four minutes of added time indicated, Arteta said he sent on the youngster with little instruction.
"Those things it is better not to tell them," the Spaniard responded when asked if he had sent Nwaneri on with a message. "Just throw him [on] there and see what happens."
Arsenal leapfrogged Manchester City at the Premier League summit with victory. They will have the international break to prepare for strict tests in their subsequent two league clashes with Tottenham and Liverpool.