Arsenal ‘pull plug on transfer deal’ after what Mikel Arteta saw vs Portsmouth
Arsenal will not allow Ethan Nwaneri leave during the January transfer window and Mikel Arteta is prepared to pull the plug on any suggestions of a loan move.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the 18-year-old has proven why he deserves a more regular spot in the starting XI.
Nwaneri impressed during Arsenal’s 4-1 win against Portsmouth as they progressed into the fourth round of the FA Cup and remain competitive across all competitions.
With the Gunners also having progressed into the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and the knockout stages of the Champions League, Arteta is determined to keep his squad together.
As a result, he is not prepared to see Nwaneri leave even on loan and sees him as a valuable part of his plans for the second half of the season.
Mikel Arteta to block Ethan Nwaneri leaving Arsenal
Nwaneri’s future at Arsenal was uncertain coming into the January transfer window, with a number of Premier League clubs keen to take him on loan.
However, any departure for the 18-year-old will be blocked by Arteta, who values his importance in the squad and was impressed by his display against Portsmouth.
“Nwaneri wants to fight for his place at Arsenal,” Brown told Football Insider.
“From what I hear, Arteta has no plans to let him go on loan in the second half of the season because he will need all of his players available.
“They’re still competing on all fronts, in the League Cup, FA Cup, Champions League and Premier League, and they’ll need players to be able to keep that up.
“Nwaneri was given the chance to impress against Portsmouth and I expect Arteta was pleased with what he saw because it was a good performance.
“They’ll pull the plug on any suggestions he could go on loan, because he’s shown what he can do and he can still play a big part in the second half of the season.”
Everton set sights on Ben White deal
Nwaneri isn’t the only Arsenal player who has been on the fringes of the squad to be linked with a move away in the mid-season window.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 11 January that Everton are interested in signing Ben White as they aim to solve their right-back issues.
White has made only four Premier League starts among his 12 appearances this term, but has a contract at Arsenal that runs until the summer of 2028.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 19 December that Everton want to sign a right-back either in January or at the end of the season.
Jake O’Brien, 24, is the current first-choice right-back and has done a solid job so far this season after taking over the role from club legend Seamus Coleman.
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