Arsenal are confident of agreeing a new deal with Ethan Nwaneri once he turns 18, as the teenager is considered for the long haul.
According to Football Insider, Arsenal will look to secure a long-term contract for teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri. The 17-year-old midfield prodigy has a big future at the club, with the Gunners like to hand him a sensational deal when he turns 18 in March next year.
Arsenal have done exceedingly well to keep hold of Ethan Nwaneri while convincing the teenager that his future is with Mikel Arteta’s first team. Back in the 2022-23 season, the Spanish manager created history when he introduced the 17-year-old midfield prodigy, then 15, in a game against Brentford, making him the Premier League’s youngest-ever debutant.
While Arteta has barely used him since, the manager has been instrumental in keeping him, as Manchester City and Chelsea showed great interest in the teenager. Having come through the Hale End academy, Nwaneri committed to a new deal when he turned 17 earlier this year.
Arteta has thoroughly integrated Nwaneri into his first-team plans this season after the teenager impressed in pre-season. Last week was rather crucial for the teenager’s development, as he got his first Arsenal goals in a cup clash with Bolton. Then, at the weekend, the manager brought him on late in the game when the scores were still level against Leicester.
The latter part showed Arteta’s tremendous faith in the midfielder, as he chose him over the likes of Gabriel Jesus, especially when Arsenal were looking for a late winner. Nwaneri has a big future at the club, and this could be his breakthrough season. The 17-year-old midfield prodigy is widely expected to become an important member of Arteta’s squad along with fellow academy star Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Arsenal to secure a long-term deal for Nwaneri
After Arsenal’s show of faith in the teenager, with his recent integration into the first-team squad and their reluctance to consider a future loan move, Nwaneri would have probably moved. The Gunners have him on a three-year deal, which he signed once he turned 17, although they are now keen to secure a long-term contract for the teenager.
Rules restrict clubs from offering contracts over three years to players below 18, meaning Arsenal are expected to ready a new deal by March when Nwaneri turns 18. From the look of things at the club, the 17-year-old midfield prodigy seems extremely happy with life under Arteta, and there’s no doubt he will commit his long-term future to the north London side.
