Ethan Nwaneri continues to get much-needed game time on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
The Arsenal academy graduate is one of the best talents in Europe, and he has shown flashes of his brilliance at the highest level already. He is viewed by many as a superstar in the making.
However, at the Emirates, Nwaneri was never going to get many minutes due to the competition for places in Mikel Arteta’s squad. That is why he had to be loaned out.
Dortmund snapped him up for the season in the summer, and the young Englishman started against Werder Bremen on Friday night.
Talking Points graphic of Arsenal player Ethan Nwaneri
Credit: Eric Alonso/Getty Images
Borussia Dortmund fans are divided over Ethan Nwaneri after his performance vs Werder Bremen
Ethan Nwaneri has only received mixed reviews from Borussia Dortmund supporters since he joined them on loan late in the summer transfer window.
That was once again the case on Friday night, with some fans praising how he played and slamming Niko Kovac for taking him off, while others insisted that he is not good enough.
One tweeted about Nwaneri: “Mediocre. I think he’s upper echelon at getting shots off, but that’s about it.”
Another wrote: “Regardless of reasons why Bremen somehow pulled out a draw, today showed many reasons why Kovac isn’t good enough. You are against a low block, why would you play every single option that lacks creativity? Nwaneri isn’t creative.”
“Nwaneri wasn’t good today in any world,” said another.
The other half of the Borussia Dortmund fan base felt the opposite about Nwaneri.
One posted: “I’m about to say something that’ll keep the fanboys up all night: Sabitzer was the best man in midfield today, and Nwaneri too with his best game so far.”
Another said: “I have to say that Beier, Nwaneri, and also Sabitzer were really solid today.”
“Why take Nwaneri off, the best player up to that point,” wrote another.
Ethan Nwaneri scored a bicycle kick but the goal was disallowed
As you can see above, Nwaneri has divided the Borussia Dortmund fan base, but what people just cannot deny is that his goal could’ve easily stood against Bremen.
The Arsenal loanee found himself inside the box during a corner, and after the initial header wasn’t dealt with, he got on the end of it and scored a stunning bicycle kick. It would’ve been one of the goals of the season.
However, the referee blew his whistle for a foul in the build-up. Looking back, it was a really harsh decision, and Nwaneri has every right to be upset that his stunner was disallowed.
Dortmund take on Bodo/Glimt next in their second Champions League fixture of the season. It remains to be seen if Nwaneri will start that game.