Ethan Nwaneri reacts to Gabriel’s new message as new Arsenal role beckons
Arsenal went into this summer’s transfer window with speculation over both Gabriel Magalhaes and Ethan Nwaneri’s futures.
Mikel Arteta‘s side have kick-started their summer transfer business in recent weeks after a slow start to the window, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke all signed.
Deals for Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres are also close to completion as Arsenal spend big to strenghten Arteta’s side, after focusing the first month of the window on retentions rather than additions.
Gabriel was the first key man to commit his future to Arsenal and signed a contract extension up to 2029, while Myles Lewis-Skelly followed suit to sign a five-year deal after his breakout season at the Emirates.
Gabriel sends Arsenal message with dramatic backdrop
With Gabriel and Lewis-Skelly signed up for the long-term, Arsenal have been working on agreeing a new Nwaneri contract and an agreement is now in place. It is expected that an announcement will be made soon.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 17 July that Nwaneri would snub interest from Man City and Chelsea to pen a new deal with Arsenal, in another major coup for Arteta.
Nwaneri may not have been front and centre of Arsenal‘s away kit launch on 21 July, but Gabriel was and posed on Instagram in front of the North London skyline.
In a post liked by Nwaneri and several of his Gunners team-mates, Gabriel said “Eyes forward. Game on.”
Nwaneri role change on the horizon amid Arsenal transfer plans
Arsenal and Nwaneri have agreed terms on the 18-year-old’s new contract, and all the signs point towards Arteta having the academy product in his plans next season.
Nwaneri often deputised for the injured Bukayo Saka on the right flank last season, but Madueke’s arrival from Chelsea means he’s likely to take up that role if he doesn’t establish a starting place on the left.
A move into midfield beckons for Nwaneri with Arsenal also in the hunt to sign Eberechi Eze for their left side this summer, and after Martin Odegaard’s patchy form last season, the teenager will back himself to become a regular fixture in Arteta’s XI.