Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri joined Borussia Dortmund on loan on transfer deadline day - here's how he's getting on
Ethan Nwaneri
Ethan Nwaneri's latest performance for Dortmund has raised concerns(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)
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Ethan Nwaneri is still waiting to complete 90 minutes in a Borussia Dortmund shirt. The Arsenal loanee, who joined the German club on deadline day, has started their last two Bundesliga matches but has been substituted shortly after the hour mark on both occasions.
Dortmund have made an impressive start to the season, winning all four of their league games to sit two points clear at the top of the table. Nwaneri has featured heavily, but the 19-year-old is yet to make a lasting impression.
Aside from the assist he registered on his debut against Hoffenheim, the England Under-21 international has struggled to make his mark in Germany so far. Saturday's 1-0 victory over Stuttgart was another frustrating afternoon for the Arsenal youngster - and local media were far from convinced by his display. Here's how outlets in Germany rated his performance.
Tribuna
Tribuna gave Nwaneri a rating of 4 out of 6, with 1 the highest grade and 6 the lowest. The outlet noted that the attacking midfielder struggled to influence the game, despite showing glimpses of his pace after the break.
"He struggled to get into the game. After the break, he showed his pace, but was unable to create many dangerous chances. His apparent goal was disallowed for a clear offside," they wrote in their match ratings.
Nwaneri's score was the joint-lowest in the Dortmund team, alongside Serhou Guirassy, Daniel Svensson, Joey Veerman and Joane Gadou, who were all also given a 4.
Nwaneri on the ball vs Stuttgart
Nwaneri struggled to get into the game and was hooked just after the hour-mark(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)
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BILD
Germany's largest tabloid, BILD, was slightly more forgiving of Nwaneri's quiet outing than Tribuna. In their official "Bildnote" match ratings, they awarded Nwaneri an average grade of 3.
However, that still placed Nwaneri among Dortmund's lowest-rated players on the night. His 3 was the joint-lowest score handed to any Dortmund player, suggesting his performance did little to impress the German publication despite the team's 1-0 victory.
Spox
Spox also felt Nwaneri struggled to make an impact, although they picked out an improvement immediately after half-time. They gave him a 4 out of 6, with 1 the highest possible grade.
"He didn't really get into the game initially, but then, at the start of the second half, after Maxi Beier won the ball, he drove forward rapidly. So rapidly, in fact, that the onrushing Serhou Guirassy was eventually caught offside, leaving the Arsenal loanee with little option but to put the ball over the bar himself. He was substituted in the 62nd minute for Konstantinos Karetsas."
The assessment suggests Nwaneri's best spell came after the interval, but he was unable to build on that moment before being replaced just beyond the hour mark.
Nwaneri
Nwaneri has failed to make much of an impact at Dortmund so far(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)
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Live Score
LiveScore's assessment was somewhat kinder, giving Nwaneri 6.5 out of 10. While they felt he struggled to become involved in the game, they highlighted his ability to threaten when he did receive possession.
"Ethan Nwaneri - 6.5: Didn't get involved much, but whenever on the ball, Nwaneri was a force to be reckoned with; made one key pass, two crosses and mustered one shot in the match too."
Only Serhou Guirassy and Marcel Sabitzer received lower scores from LiveScore, with Sabitzer's 6 coming despite playing just nine minutes.