Mikel Arteta, Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal
(Credit: Imago)
Mick Brown
Tue 8 July 2025 20:00, UK
Ethan Nwaneri is growing increasingly likely to quit Arsenal as he remains locked in a contract stand-off with just one year left on his deal.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 18-year-old is demanding assurances over his playing time.
However, Mikel Arteta is currently unable to offer those assurances while preparations are ongoing behind the scenes to strengthen his squad in the transfer market.
Nwaneri is able to play both out wide and in midfield, but the Gunners’ pursuit of both Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze have raised concerns about his role in the side.
Arteta is aiming to build a title-winning side and has not yet been convinced, despite his undoubted potential and a desire to keep him, that Nwaneri is of the required level.
Despite this, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 7 July that Arsenal are determined to keep Nwaneri and have no intention of letting him leave this summer.
Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri celebrating
Ethan Nwaneri could quit Arsenal this summer. (Credit: Imago)
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Arsenal make Ethan Nwaneri decision in contract stand-off
Brown told Football Insider in January that Arsenal are working to secure Nwaneri’s future and have wanted him to commit to new terms since last year.
However, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, warned that the England Under-21 international has doubts about his future.
“*It’s a very difficult situation for Arsenal,*” he told Football Insider.
“He’s a wonderful talent, everybody has high hopes for his potential and he’s shown what he can do in these cameo appearances he’s been given.
“But when he had to go in as a regular starting XI player, I don’t think they were convinced.
“He’s only young, of course, and he’s got that room to grow but from what I hear they don’t necessarily think he’s good enough to start week in, week out right now.
“And that’s normal for a player of his age at a club like Arsenal, but he wants to play regularly.
“He’s sat down with Arteta in talks over this new contract, but he won’t be offered the assurances he’s looking for in terms of his role in the squad.
“The manager wants to build a title-winning side, and they want to strengthen the squad and sign players who will get them to that level.
“Let’s say they go and get Madueke and Eze, which they want to do, that would block Nwaneri’s path.
“So if he’s not going to put pen to paper unless he’s promised a role in the starting XI, then he could well leave Arsenal before too long.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has difficult decisions to make at Arsenal. (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Viktor Gyokeres closes in on move to the Emirates
While talk continues about Nwaneri’s long-term future, the Gunners are planning to add to their squad, with a striker still their top priority.
Football Insider revealed on 7 July that Arsenal have reached an agreement with Viktor Gyokeres and are now just putting finishing touches to that deal.
Sources say that it is a matter of when, not if, the transfer gets completed, with the Sweden international willing to make the move to the Emirates over the likes of Man United.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 21 June that United have dropped their interest in Gyokeres after he made clear his desire to join Arsenal.
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