Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri, 18, is seeking assurance from the club before signing a new contract at the club.
This comes as the Gunners are actively exploring the chances to add more attackers in the window, most notably their interest in Noni Madueke from Chelsea.
A potential move for the former PSV man has raised concerns that opportunities for Nwaneri’s development, which could be further squeezed.
Ethan Nwaneri enjoyed a successful breakthrough season with his boyhood club, scoring nine goals and two assists in 37 games across all competitions, despite featuring more as a substitute.
The U-21 European championship winner with England played both on the flanks and on the right side of midfield, deputizing for Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard.
During the season, Ethan became youngest player with consecutive goal-scoring starts in the League Cup, second-youngest English scorer for Arsenal in the Premier League, as well as the youngest English player to score a Champions League goal, behind Cesc Fabregas and Jude Bellingham respectively.
His technical flair, sharp decision-making, and shooting ability have drawn praise from manager Mikel Arteta, who emphasized unlocking Nwaneri’s natural expression on the field.
However, things are very complicated as he awaits more assurance before putting pen to papers on a new contract with the club. Arsenal wants to bring in more attackers, and at the point, anyone on the right will be direct competition for Ethan.
Is Noni Madueke Worth Losing Ethan Nwaneri?
Last season, Ethan Nwaneri was overlooked by Arteta during the early days with captain Martin Ødegaard sidelined by injury. He managed to get very involved following the injury to Bukayo Saka before the turn of the year.
With both players now available, his involvement will be limited, although he would be expected to receive more opportunities next season, but another right winger coming in will complicate his chances.
The club is ready to offer a new deal, but Nwaneri is awaiting assurance that signing Madueke or others won’t stunt his progression. Which would be farfetched if Arsenal do pursue their interest in the Chelsea winger.
Nwaneri is a #10 by trade, and his direct competition in the team is Martin Ødegaard. His versatility makes him an option on the right flank, and Madueke’s arrival will only make opportunities farfetched.
Madueke has been at Chelsea since his £30.7 million move from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in the January window of 2023, and has scored 20 goals in 90 games, adding seven further assists.
Teams Interested in Ethan Nwaneri
In the past, both Chelsea and Manchester City have approached the entourage of the Hale End graduate, offering lucrative deals to lure him away from Arsenal, but his priority was to remain at his boyhood club.
Both of these teams and others in the English top-flight will still be willing to take the talented playmaker, even so as he may be available for a modest should the extension at Arsenal not work out.
His first professional contract signed last summer ends in 2026, and if an agreement is not reached on an extension, Arsenal could be willing to part ways for a fee rather than lose him for free next summer.
There have been contacts from Germany, Spain and France. In January, it was reported that the Young Lion had talks with a club from abroad, although not much has been revealed about the situation.
Nwaneri wants Arsenal stay, but the club will have to give assurance to ensure continuity, and maybe the best way to do that is giving up their pursuit of Noni Madueke.
Reports have revealed that there is optimism in the talks between the two parties as Arsenal also wants one of their own to stay. Although selling him will be good for their profit and sustainability rules calculation, Nwaneri is considered much more important to even consider a departure.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
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My Golden Boy goes nowhere