Arsenal now have an increasingly concerning situation developing with Ethan Nwaneri’s future.
Alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri is one of the biggest talents to emerge from Arsenal’s Hale End Academy in recent years.
And whilst Lewis-Skelly has signed a new contract with Arsenal to keep him in north London long-term, the same can’t yet be said about Nwaneri.
Arsenal have concerns about Nwaneri’s situation and it’s currently unclear if the 18-year-old will agree to a new deal, meaning big clubs around Europe are beginning to take notice.
And according to journalist Alex Crook, Nwaneri’s stand-off with Arsenal is owing to guarantees he wants over his game time at the Emirates.
Ben White has explained why Ethan Nwaneri might struggle for game time
That being said, Arsenal defender Ben White recently explained why he thought Saka was in an ‘unfortunate’ position in that regard.
In a one-word interview with Sky Sports, White was full of compliments for Nwaneri, but admitted that he was already a victim of the supremely talented players ahead of him in the pecking order at Arsenal.
Ben White talks to Ethan Nwaneri during an Arsenal match.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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Speaking in May, White said: “When I was 18 I was playing U18s — he could be playing week in week out, he’s that special.
“I think it’s unfortunate that obviously you’ve got Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in his position.
“But yeah, he’s so good in training, he’s literally probably the best trainer every day.
“His technical levels are the best and he’s got so much to like learn and do, it’s just crazy.”
Of course, that competition still exists at the Emirates, and Arsenal want to sign Noni Madueke from Chelsea as well, who could provide backup to Bukayo Saka at right wing.
Nwaneri wants more minutes at Arsenal
All in all, Nwaneri did play a ton of minutes last season, he made 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals and providing two assists.
However, those minutes did diminish once Saka was back fit, and Nwaneri was faced with displacing him or Martin Odegaard from the starting eleven.
It’s therefore difficult for Arsenal to give Nwaneri guarantees over starts, chances or minutes in the season to come, even if there will be plenty of all three.
And although Arsenal sources still seem confident of Nwaneri committing to a new deal, it is a concerning situation.
Securing Nwaneri’s long-term future in N5 should be considered much more important than any new signing in the coming months — a level of talent Arsenal simply wouldn’t be able to buy.