Ethan Nwaneri has just been tipped to do something at Arsenal that Bukayo Saka has only done twice

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There has been a lot of talk about Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri over the summer.

After the 18-year-old’s breakthrough season, the next task on Arsenal’s list was to tie the academy graduate down to a new contract. 

There was some concern about whether Nwaneri would sign a new deal; however, such speculation has blown over. 

Nwaneri is set to pen a five-year contract to extend his stay with his boyhood club as he looks forward to the start of the new season. 

• READ MORE: Arsenal’s top ten youngest players in history including Ethan Nwaneri, Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas

Ethan Nwaneri backed to score freely for Arsenal in 2025/26

Nwaneri has been awarded a new squad number, which symbolises his huge step forward into the first team. 

There are few young forwards as good as the teenager in world football, with all eyes already on what the Englishman can produce over the 2025/26 calendar.

Like every year, pundits and fans will make predictions on how the new season will pan out, something that is already being spoken about.

Shaka Hislop was asked to share his player prediction for the upcoming season when speaking on the ESPN FC podcast.

The retired goalkeeper decided to focus his prediction on Nwaneri’s upcoming campaign with the Arsenal first team, making a bold call. 

“I think Ethan Nwaneri, he’s going to get 15 goals in all competitions next season,” the ex-West Ham and Newcastle shot-stopper announced.

Hislop was asked to elaborate on his answer and was asked where the academy graduate would play in Arteta’s XI, prompting the pundit to respond in a coy fashion.

“For Arsenal, on the pitch for Arsenal,” Hislop simply said.

The Trinidad and Tobago international’s call was bold, as scoring 15 or more goals for Arsenal in a season is something that is rarely done.

For example, Bukayo Saka has only scored 15 or more in all competitions twice since his breakthrough into the first team, showing how highly Hislop rates Nwaneri.

Nwaneri’s highest scoring season so far

For some, the prediction could seem a bit pie in the sky, but it’s clear that Hislop has done his homework.

Nwaneri’s move into the first team at such a young age was no fluke, as over the 2023/24 season, the attacking midfielder’s form was impossible to ignore.

That season, Nwaneri scored 18 goals in all competitions, his highest scoring campaign in Arsenal’s academy, showing that he’s more than capable of scoring freely.

It would be a terrific feat for the Englishman to hit 15 goals for the Arsenal first team, something that only Kai Havertz managed last term in all competitions.