‘Arsenal concern in Ethan Nwaneri talks amid strong Premier League interest’
Ethan Nwaneri is causing Arsenal concern as Premier League clubs and teams abroad show interest in the rising star.
The Gunners endured a disappointing season, finishing as runners-up in the Premier League for the third consecutive campaign.
But the emergence of Nwaneri into Arsenal’s first team was a bright spot in a relatively gloomy year dominated by injuries to key players.
Bukayo Saka spent significant time out with a hamstring injury that required surgery, but the star man’s fitness issues allowed his younger counterpart to blossom on the right-hand side.
Nwaneri finished the 2024/25 season with nine goals and two assists, a phenomenal return for a player who only turned 18 in March.
However, despite being an important member of his boyhood club’s first team, the youngster is yet to sign a new contract which is causing “concerns” for Arsenal, according to The Athletic.
Ethan Nwaneri free to negotiate with foreign clubs in January
As reported, Nwaneri’s contract expires next summer, meaning the 18-year-old can discuss and even agree terms with a foreign club from January 2026 onwards.
That situation is the source of some anxiety, given there is “known to be strong interest in him from the Premier League and abroad.”
Despite the benefits selling Nwaneri would provide for the club’s calculation of profit and sustainability rules (PSR), Arsenal have no interest in cashing in on the England Under-21 international.
Just as importantly, though, the club understand that they cannot simply allow such talented players to become free agents.
Sources close to the negotiations between the two parties are “optimistic that talks will result in a renewal”, but until pen is on paper and a deal is reached, “concerns linger”.
Arsenal facing Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman predicament
Football Insider Verdict
Much of the discussion surrounding Nwaneri has been to do with his position.
The youngster looked a natural filling in for Saka on the right-wing, despite having little to no experience in that position.
Nwaneri is much more of a number 10 and would slot comfortably into the right-hand side of Mikel Arteta’s midfield three, where Martin Odegaard plays.
Which represents the first issue. For as good as the England U21 is, and will become, the club’s captain will take precedence in the starting line-up, for the time being at least.
The second issue is that Nwaneri is not the only young star emerging from Hale End who is most comfortable as an offensive-minded central midfielder.
Max Dowman is revered as one of the most talented players of his generation, and the 15-year-old is expected to join Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia with a view to featuring in the first team next season.
Both players are in need of a clear pathway with plenty of opportunities to feature, leaving the Gunners in an awkward position.