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Arsenal are on the brink of tying down one of their brightest young stars, Ethan Nwaneri, to a long-term contract, with talks now in their final stages, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, whose current deal runs until the summer of 2026, has been a priority for the Gunners amid growing interest from rival Premier League clubs and top European sides. Nwaneri’s commitment to staying at his boyhood club, however, has been unwavering.
Nwaneri, who joined Arsenal at just eight years old, enjoyed a breakout 2024/25 campaign, registering 37 first-team appearances, nine goals, and two assists across all competitions. Highlights of his season included a sublime curled finish against Manchester City and a decisive goal in the UEFA Champions League clash with Girona, underlining his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
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Although Arsenal had long intended to secure his long-term future, FA regulations restricting players under 18 to three-year contracts meant they could not offer an extended deal until Nwaneri’s 18th birthday in March 2025. Further delays were caused by his involvement in England’s U21 European Championship-winning squad and a post-tournament holiday. Talks have since accelerated, and sources close to the negotiations are confident an agreement will be signed soon.
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Crucially, contrary to previous reports, Nwaneri’s camp have not demanded guarantees over playing time. Instead, his confidence in manager Mikel Arteta’s project and development plan has played a key role in the ongoing discussions.
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Arteta has been vocal in his admiration for Nwaneri, lauding his natural talent, composure, and finishing ability. The Arsenal boss sees the teenager as a central figure in the club’s future, praising his versatility to operate across multiple attacking roles, including as a right or left-sided midfielder, winger, or even a potential centre-forward.
With plans to deploy him more centrally next season, Arsenal view Nwaneri as a key component in their long-term strategy. His rapid rise, from becoming the Premier League’s youngest-ever debutant at 15 years and 181 days in 2022, to a regular feature in the first team has drawn comparisons to fellow Hale End graduates Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
Nwaneri also shares a close friendship with Myles Lewis-Skelly, another highly rated academy product who recently signed a new deal running until 2030, further highlighting Arsenal’s growing success in developing and retaining elite youth talent.
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