Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal transfer admission: 'Not good for anybody'

14 Aug 2026 16:02 BST | 4 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that keeping Ethan Nwaneri only makes sense if he actually gets to play.

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The 19-year-old is facing an uncertain future at the Emirates after he struggled for minutes last season. Nwaneri barely played for Arsenal, and even a January loan move to Marseille did not improve his fortunes.

He had specifically joined the Ligue 1 club to work with Roberto de Zerbi, but the impulsive Italian coach quit his job just a couple of weeks after the teenager's arrival. De Zerbi's replacement, Habib Beye, never warmed to Nwaneri and publicly criticised him.

Current ETV

Ethan Nwaneri

M (C), F (R)

Arsenal

Ethan Nwaneri

M (C), F (R)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€31.5M - €38.5M

Now back at Arsenal, Nwaneri has made a positive impression. The England youth international has been a standout performer in pre-season, with Arteta saying earlier this week: "He's been really good... He looks more mature. He's incredible at that. It's what six months can do to you.

"It's a different experience to be on your own, to go through tough times, and just to witness that there's another part of football that you have to be good enough to cope with. I'm very happy with what he's done in pre-season."

Arteta admits Nwaneri needs to play

Despite the youngster's pre-season form, there is no guarantee that he will make the grade in an ever-improving Arsenal side. The Gunners have already become stronger this summer, and they have not yet concluded their business.

This has emboldened suitors to make a move for him. AC Milan, RB Leipzig and Galatasaray have been linked with Nwaneri in recent days. A sale would be painful as Arsenal still rate him highly, but he would represent pure profit, which would be very helpful financially.

And Arteta has now admitted that Nwaneri's future remains up in the air. He knows that the 19-year-old needs to play and insists that he won't force him to stay if he can't give him regular minutes.

Picking up on what he said earlier this week, Arteta added on Friday: "I don't know on the plans but certainly it opens your eyes in terms of how much a young player can evolve in such a short period. And what experiences are brought with certain difficulties and challenges, what you can really get out of that. I think he's done it in a brilliant way.

"It's unquestionable: the talent, the desire, the love and the passion he has for the game. It's something that I've always loved about Ethan. I think he's had some great games, and he's shown everybody that he has the ability to be here."

Asked whether that meant that he wants him to be at Arsenal, Arteta responded in the affirmative before admitting that it will ultimately depend on whether or not he can guarantee him game time.

"I want him to be at the club, but something is in the medium-long term what is best for the player as well," Arteta said. "Ethan needs to play football, and if he stays here it’s because we can guarantee that he can have those minutes.

"Otherwise, it's just something that is not good for anybody, I think."