Wolves should make a loan move for Ethan Nwaneri - opinionplaceholder image
Wolves should make a loan move for Ethan Nwaneri - opinion | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Wolves face a season-defining January transfer window as they look to evade the threat of relegation
Premier League strugglers Wolves are bracing themselves for a make or break January transfer window after a dismal eight-match winning streak at the start of the season.
Wolves have allowed a number of high profile first team stars to depart in January such as Matheus Cunha, Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri - and have found it increasingly difficult to compete at the highest level without them.
But what do Wolves need to do in January to turn their season around? And who can they target?
Wolves desperately lack a goal threat
Vitor Pereira’s side have had problems defensively since long before he arrived in December 2024. They conceded 69 goals last season - making them the weakest defensive team in the division outside of the bottom three.
That defensive issue hasn’t gone away, with the Old Gold leaking 16 in their opening eight this term - but the even greater concern is the fact that the team no longer seems to be able to score goals. The Old Gold have only managed to find the net five times in eight matches - the lowest in the division.
Their XG of 1.19 is also very alarming, particularly when you bear in mind that Wolves, for 55.7% of the time played this season, have found themselves a goal or more behind in the match and chasing a result.
Wolves lack a real source of creativity, both out at full-back and in the centre of midfield, having lost Rayan Aït-Nouri, Matheus Cunha, Nelson Semedo, Goncalo Guedes, Mario Lemina and Pablo Sarabia they got 26 assists between them while Tommy Doyle, who also chipped in with one, is on loan at Birmingham City.
The players that have come in such as David Møller Wolfe and Fer Lopez have managed just two assists between them, while Jhon Arias and Tolu Arokodare are still waiting for any sort of goal contribution in the league.
Why Wolves should be looking to sign Ethan Nwaneri
Ethan Nwaneri is yet to start a Premier League or Champions League match this season. He’s played just 145 minutes of league football and at present looks like a peripheral figure in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad.
The 18-year-old has all the makings of a quality footballer and is almost certain to have a big future in the Arsenal squad but at the moment with Eberechi Eze, the currently injured Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke (once he returns to fitness) all fighting for a starting place, it’s hard to see Nwaneri getting sufficient football this season to ensure him a place at the World Cup after winning the Under-21 European Championship with England over the summer.
Therefore it could make sense for Wolves to offer the player a chance to play regularly by offering Nwaneri a six-month loan move to Molineux. Nwaneri, who has been previously described as ‘calm and composed’ by Mikel Arteta, has racked up 44 appearances across his career at Arsenal, scoring nine goals and contributing two assists, which is very impressive bearing in mind the majority of those games have come as a substitute.
"He's a strong little thing. You can't mark him because he can go both ways," Cole said on TNT Sports. "These touches he produces in and around the box, I don't want to say it, but it's like Messi. I don't want to put any more pressure on the kid's shoulders, I'm sure he'll deal with it. He plays with such confidence and he's a beautiful player.”
Nwaneri is blessed with technical quality in abundance, is versatile enough to play as a central attacking playmaker, a right-winger and even a centre forward - and could completely transform Wolves as an attacking force in the second half of the season. He’s just one of a number of top talents Wolves should consider to get their season back on track.
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