FOOTBALL
By Animesh Pandey
Posted on July 23, 2026 5:00 pm | Updated on July 23, 2026 11:40 am Mishel Nduka decides to choose Manchester City over Arsenal for the upcoming season
Arsenal
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Arsenal received a significant blow in the transfer market. In a surprise move, Mishel Nduka decided to opt for Manchester City instead of continuing with the North London club.
Nduka to join Man City for next season?
Nduka will join Man City for the next season, as reported by NYTimes. The Sky Blues managed to convince him for an agreement just after the teenager turned down a senior contract with Arsenal.
The 16-year-old midfield prospect will undergo a medical. Then he will join Man City on scholarship terms. Subsequently, a long-term contract will be made between the Sky Blues and the English teenager.
Man City have signed Nduka just weeks after securing the transfer of Jeremy Monga. They signed a five-year contract with the 17-year-old Leicester City winger that will expire in 2031. He was signed for a total amount of £12.5 million.
Why did Nduka choose the Sky Blues over Arsenal?
Nduka was part of the Arsenal U18 squad last year. He joined the team in the 2025-26 season. The midfielder also participated for the club’s U21 team at the **Premier League 2**last year. Before that, he played for the Charlton Athletic.
Arsenal initially offered a long term deal for the teenage sensation. However Manchester City beat them to it with their offer. The Gunners ultimately backed out of the deal, as they thought the valuation was too high. They are also in talks for Heaven Kilwa, who recently rejected a scholarship offer by Aston Villa.
However, Arsenal are not too disappointed by Nduka’s decision. The North London club are already seeking players like Bruno Guimaraes and Morgan Rogers for the next season. Apart from them, players like Sandro Tonali, Alex Scott, and Manu Kone are also on their shortlist. Team manager Mikel Arteta wants a more agile side that is capable of maintaining the dream run of the 2025-26 season.
What’s next for Mishel Nduka?
Nduka is currently preparing for the next football season. He has nothing to be worried about in terms of either health or fitness for now. However, if Nduka needs to make it big in European football, he needs to ensure that he performs well at Manchester City the next season. The young teenager knows that he won’t get another opportunity like this.
The Sky Blues finished second at the Premier League behind Arsenal. They also won the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. Sadly, they couldn’t repeat the same performance at the UEFA Champions League. They were eliminated in the round of 16. After Pep Guardiola took leave, Enzo Maresca took over as the team manager for the 2026-27 season. He hopes to extend the winning legacy for the Sky Blues. If Nduka proves himself at the U21 level, he could be promoted to the senior level within a year or two.
The Gunners haven’t given up altogether on youth players though. In an aggressive buying spree, the North London club have signed center-back Elijah Upson for the next season. Likewise, they are also in talks for goalkeeper Tommy Setford. Even Mylo Bernard is on their shortlist. The 16-year-old had previously rejected an offer from the Crystal Palace. Likewise, PSG defender Emmanuel Mbemba is also on their shortlist.
Mishel Nduka could’ve become the backbone of Arsenal’s midfield. However, he chose Manchester City to hone his skills. It will be interesting to see how he performs for the Sky Blues in the upcoming season.
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Animesh Pandey
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