Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri 'non-negotiable' - and what Chelsea have to do with it

Updated: 4 Sept 2026 14:39 BST | 4 min read

Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal, 2026/27 — © IMAGO

Tom Weber | Writer

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Arsenal loaned Ethan Nwaneri to Borussia Dortmund on Deadline Day, but they made sure to cover all bases should they need him back in January.

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The 19-year-old experienced a very tumultuous end to the transfer window. Nwaneri looked all set to depart Arsenal, potentially on a permanent deal, after he was omitted from their Community Shield clash with Man City.

Mikel Arteta had bluntly admitted before the match that it would not make sense for Nwaneri to stay put if he wasn't guaranteed minutes, so the youngster's omission was a clear sign that the Spaniard was ready to let him move on.

Current ETV

Ethan Nwaneri

M (C), F (R)

Dortmund

Ethan Nwaneri

M (C), F (R)

Dortmund

ETV Range

€28.3M - €34.6M

However, reports then surfaced that Nwaneri was actually reluctant to leave and, particularly, to go abroad again after his disappointing loan spell at Marseille last season. It was claimed that he would only consider attractive Premier League offers.

Ultimately, he ended up moving to the continent on loan anyway, joining a desperate Borussia Dortmund side that had just lost marquee signing Giannis Konstantelias to an ACL injury.

Arsenal's Nwaneri "non-negotiable"

Dortmund was deemed the perfect environment for him to develop this season, with the Bundesliga side having signed numerous teenagers this summer in an effort to rediscover their successful business strategy of years past.

The Nwaneri deal does not include a purchase option, meaning that the England youth international will return to Arsenal next summer. As it turns out, though, he could already head back to North London in January.

Sky Germany has confirmed that the loan deal includes a mid-season break clause that allows Arsenal to recall Nwaneri. This, it is understood, was a "non-negotiable" for the Premier League champions - and understandably so.

Arsenal failed to adequately strengthen their frontline this summer, only signing Christos Tzolis. With Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Nwaneri having departed, there is a risk of Arteta being left short-handed.

Should the Gunners be worried about their depth, they will have the ability to bring Nwaneri back in January. This would be a blow to Dortmund, but the German club made sure to include provisions in the deal meant to protect them from being blindsided by a last-minute decision.

It is reported that there is a deadline by which Arsenal must inform Dortmund of their decision to cut Nwaneri's deal short, so that the German side have enough time to source a replacement. Moreover, if the Gunners exercise their option, Dortmund will not have to pay a loan fee.

The Black and Yellow must have surely insisted on this after their Aaron Anselmino debacle last January, when they were caught unprepared by Chelsea recalling the Argentine centre-back.

Reports had claimed for weeks that the Blues were mulling over bringing the defender back, but Dortmund did not receive any indications from the West London club that this was a realistic possibility.

When the call ultimately came in the final days of the window, Dortmund were stunned and felt betrayed. They had a good relationship with Chelsea and expected the club to go about it in a more tactful manner.

Anselmino, who had no intention of returning to Chelsea mid-season, was reduced to tears when he said his goodbyes to his teammates, while Dortmund were unable to bring in a replacement.

Dortmund clearly learned their lesson from this jarring experience and will be better prepared should Arsenal recall Nwaneri.