Martin Keown has dismissed speculation that Ethan Nwaneri might switch Arsenal for Chelsea, emphasising there's "no doubt" he'll stay in north London.
The young talent, who is the Premier League's youngest ever player, had a standout season last campaign but questions linger as his contract enters its final year amid Arsenal's ongoing hunt for fresh attacking options. Other clubs, including Chelsea, are reportedly sniffing around to see if they can make a swoop for the teenager.
Chelsea made an enquiry when the two clubs discussed a move for Noni Madueke but Keown is confident that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is closely monitoring Nwaneri's development and will afford him chances when the time is right. Reflecting on how Arteta managed the workload of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, Keown believes the same measured approach is being taken with Nwaneri.
Speaking to TalkSport: Keown said: "I take you back to the [FA] Cup final that Arteta won, in that game who sat on the bench and didn’t come on? Saka. That looked painful. Martinelli, a lot of people were crying out for him to make a start, but he [Arteta] does it when he thinks it’s right.
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"I think Nwaneri is on the same path. He is a wonderful talent. He’s being protected by Arteta. It’s not to do with ability, he will get his chance.
"OK, maybe it’s a bartering situation for the contract but I’ve met the family, the father, very calm, lovely family. He’s an intelligent boy, he will eventually sign for Arsenal, there is no doubt about it. I just think he wants to make sure he plays football, and that is healthy. He’s doing it for the right reasons, this young man. I believe he is going to be a superstar at Arsenal."
After Myles Lewis-Skelly signed a new long-term deal with Arsenal last month, many supporters will be hoping Nwaneri follows suit in the coming weeks. Arteta's thoughts on the 18-year-old are clear, though, with the Spaniard a big fan of the Englishman's ability.
“Nwaneri, 17-years-old – he takes the ball, the first one is an action like this, he runs past two, three players and wants to take a shot," Arteta said in September last year. "I just love it, you want to play here, you want to be at that level you need to play with that courage.”
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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