Arsenal manager Mikel Artetaplaceholder image
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta | AFP via Getty Images
Arsenal have the opportunity to let some players leave before the end of the January transfer window
Arsenal face an away trip to the City Ground this weekend to play Nottingham Forest in the league. They remain top of the Premier League table after 21 fixtures as they look to finally get their hands on the trophy. Mikel Arteta’s side are six points clear ahead of both Manchester City and Arsenal.
The Gunners won 3-2 away at Chelsea in their first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-finals clash last time out. Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi got their goals against the Blues. They play Liam Rosenior’s men against on 3rd February.
Arsenal should swerve West Ham loan for Ethan Nwaneri
Arsenal winger Ethan Nwaneri has been linked with a move to West Ham on loan, as per Football London. The Gunners shouldn’t loan him to the Hammers though this winter and must find him an alternative temporary home if they are to offload him. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are struggling at the bottom end of the table and he needs to join a more stable team to boost his development.
Things are turning toxic at the London Stadium and someone of Nwaneri’s age doesn’t need to be exposed to that at this stage of his career. In addition, he may not even be guaranteed regular minutes under Nuno. Their main man Jarrod Bowen plays in his position off the right and he plays every minute when fit.
Nwaneri, 18, would be better off joining a different team to help boost his development and get some experience under his belt. The England youth international is struggling to get into Arsenal’s starting XI at this moment in time amid competition for places. They have the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard at their disposal, among others.
Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri has bright future ahead of him in the game
Nwaneri has been on the books at Arsenal for his whole career to date. He has risen up through their academy and has been a regular for them at various different youth levels. The teenager made his first-team debut at the age of just 15 in a clash against Brentford back in 2024.
He has since made 51 appearances in all competitions and has scored 10 goals. However, his minutes have dried up since the last campaign. Therefore, a departure may well be on the cards between now and the deadline on Monday 1st February.
West Ham could see Nwaneri as someone to bolster their attacking department. If he joined the Hammers, he would give them more competition and depth at the top end of the pitch. In addition, he would inject some much needed quality into their ranks.
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said last year: “Nwaneri is more a creator through his final ball, his dribbling and the quality of his passing. (Cesc) Fabregas was very strong mentally but this boy looks as well and when I look at him, his maturity, it’s difficult for me to think he’s 17 years old. The sign of a special talent is they are ready early.”
The Gunners have to think long and hard about where to send him though and the Hammers’ dressing room doesn’t seem to be the best environment for him to go into. They have got themselves into a dangerous habit of losing games and look Championship bound unless Nuno can save them over the coming months. Nwaneri should go to a side who are on an upward trajectory and with players in confident mood.
Continue Reading