The January transfer window will be a vitally important one for West Ham United boss Nuno Espirito Santo and he should be trying everything possible to secure a loan deal for one of Arsenal’s top stars.
Nuno is under intense pressure right now but the positive news is that West Ham appear to be close to getting four deals over the line in the January transfer window.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are set up perfectly heading into the second half of the season, with almost a fully-fit squad and a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
The Hammers are said to have agreed deals to sign striking duo Valentin Castellanos and Pablo, while a move for Adama Traore is close, and Charlie Cresswell is on Nuno’s radar as well.
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Traore? El Karouani? Strand Larsen?
Nuno Espirito Santo manages West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion at the London Stadium in Stratford, United Kingdom, on December 30, 2025.
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Nuno said he would focus on transfers when the window opened and he has seemingly lived up to his word!
However, the West Ham manager’s work in the transfer market is far from being anywhere near finished.
You could actually make a case for the Hammers needing to strengthen in every single department of the pitch.
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One position which seems to be going under the radar is the number 10 position.
Lucas Paqueta is far too inconsistent for a team that is deeply entrenched in a relegation battle. It might sound harsh, but the Brazilian has become a real liability over the past two seasons.
West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo hugs Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images
And the solution for the Hammers could be sitting pretty much on our doorstep.
West Ham should sign Ethan Nwaneri on loan from Arsenal in January
Mikel Arteta labelled Nwaneri as ‘unbelievable’ back in February, as quoted by Football.London.
“He’s unbelievable,“ Arteta explained.
“When he touches that ball, special things happen. He just makes things happen.“
However, the 18-year-old has barely featured for the Gunners this season, playing just 165 minutes of Premier League football.
He hasn’t played at all since his 19-minute cameo appearance for Arsenal against Club Brugge on December 10th, and his last minutes in the Premier League came on November 23rd.
A player with Nwaneri’s ability needs to be playing regularly, it’s as simple as that.
Considering how well Arsenal are doing right now, and the competition for places in the right wing and attacking midfield positions, his chances of obtaining regular action during the second half of the season seem bleak.
That’s why Nwaneri joining West Ham on loan in January would be perfect for all parties involved.
The Gunners teenager wouldn’t even have to move from where he currently lives! He would slot in perfectly for the Hammers in the number 10 role, just in front of Freddie Potts and either Soungoutou Magassa or Mateus Fernandes.
Jarrod Bowen can then play in his natural position outside on the right with Crysencio Summerville on the left and Callum Wilson, or one of the new strikers, in the out-and-out centre-forward role.
Ethan Nwaneri in action for Arsenal vs West Ham
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
It would be a win-win situation for everyone. Nwaneri, who has been coached in a top tier system, would get regular game-time, which Arsenal would obviously benefit from.
Meanwhile, the Hammers would be gaining a player of immense quality to help us beat the drop. Surely this is an absolute no-brainer?
Ethan Nwaneri could solve West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta problem
Paqueta is obviously a sensational talent and when he’s on top form, he can be a real game-changer.
However, the problem for the Hammers is that we just don’t see his best very often.
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And which changes would you make to our XI?
West Ham United January XI
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Added to that, he can be a real passenger more often than not, and that is definitely not what you need in a relegation battle.
The Brazilian’s dallying in possession of the football in dangerous areas has proven to be costly for West Ham on so many occasions.
You could stomach that if his attacking output outweighed the mistakes he makes but that is simply not the case.
He has just four goals and one assist to his name in the Premier League for the Hammers this season (Who Scored).
Ethan Nwaneri is a major upgrade on Paqueta both in an attacking sense and a defensive one, and Nuno bringing him to West Ham on loan from Arsenal in the January transfer window could genuinely save our season.
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