Arsenal have found themselves in a worrying situation with Ethan Nwaneri.
The teenager is one of the best young talents in world football, and he has been fantastic for the Gunners’ senior side whenever he has played this season.
However, Arsenal Insider revealed this week that Arsenal have not reached an agreement with Nwaneri over a new contract yet.
The club felt it would be done and dusted by this point, but the fact that there has been no breakthrough is extremely concerning, especially as Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City are keeping tabs on his situation.
Losing Nwaneri would be terrible for Arsenal this summer.
Losers from Ethan Nwaneri potentially leaving Arsenal
Mikel Arteta:
If Ethan Nwaneri chooses to leave Arsenal, nobody will be more heartbroken than Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard gave him a chance when he was just 15 and has offered him plenty of game time this season. Losing him after all that won’t just hurt him emotionally, but it will negatively impact Arsenal’s future squad planning as well.
Arteta may even have to take some blame because Nwaneri hasn’t played a lot in recent weeks – that could well be why his contract talks is not progressing.
Arsenal:
Losing Nwaneri would be such a bad look on Arsenal.
The Gunners will not just be losing a spectacular talent, but it will also be a signal to other emerging youngsters at Hale End that there isn’t a pathway to become a regular.
The likes of Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven, Reuell Walters, Omari Hutchinson and Amario Cozier-Duberry have all left in recent seasons – losing Nwaneri on top of that would be awful.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri have been best friends since they were kids.
The two players have played together almost all their lives, and they have been alongside each other in their journey to Arsenal’s first team as well.
Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri have definitely helped each other in the senior setup since getting promoted. Seeing the latter leave now will surely hurt his best mate.
Winners from Ethan Nwaneri potentially leaving Arsenal
Max Dowman:
Max Dowman is expected to be promoted to the Arsenal first team this summer.
The teenager is naturally a number 10, but he can play on the right wing as well. That is the role Nwaneri currently occupies in the Arsenal senior side – albeit as a backup.
If Nwaneri leaves, Dowman’s chances of playing games will increase.
Martin Odegaard:
Martin Odegaard will be the first one to admit that he has had a poor season at Arsenal.
The Norway international looked nothing like his usual self for a few months, and the attack really suffered as a result.
Nwaneri is the alternate option in Odegaard’s position, but if the teenager leaves, there will be nobody to push the skipper for his place in the side.
The club that signs Nwaneri:
We really hope that Nwaneri will stay at Arsenal and extend his contract, but if he decides to leave and join another club, that team will be the biggest winners.
Nwaneri is destined to be a superstar. He has all the qualities that you would want from an attacker, and he possesses a style that makes him suitable for almost every system out there.
If Liverpool or Manchester City end up signing Nwaneri, they could dominate the Premier League and the Champions League for more than a decade.
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