Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri makes brave transfer call

Robin Bairner

• 8 Jan 2026 03:15 CST
• 3 min read

Nieuws

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be delighted with the transfer stance of wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri, whose decision to stay at the club will help propel the Gunners’ Premier League title challenge.

Nwaneri has struggled to find space in Arsenal’s packed squad, leading to concerns over his immediate future at the club.

The 18-year-old has not appeared on the pitch since the Gunners tackled Club Brugge in the Champions League on 10 December, while he has appeared in only 11 matches since signing a new five-year contract in the summer.

With such a highly talented young player rooted to the bench, Premier League rivals Bournemouth have attempted to make a raid for the teenager as a replacement for Manchester City-bound winger Antoine Semenyo. Chelsea have also been linked with a move for him.

Nwaneri says no to Bournemouth move

Nwaneri has turned down the opportunity to move to Andoni Iraola’s struggling side and instead believes he is better served sticking out the season in North London, according to the Independent.

The report states: “A loan is nevertheless seen by those close to Nwaneri as unlikely in this window. The player is understood to feel he can learn more as part of a serious title challenge - especially if Arsenal win - and is content to be patient and assess his situation at the end of the season.”

In a blow to Chelsea's hopes of landing the player, rather than move to a Premier League club if he remains unsettled at the end of the season, Nwaneri would be likelier to move to a big club abroad. He was linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund last summer.

Arteta wants wonderkid to stay

Nwaneri’s stance will delight Arteta, with the Arsenal manager previously intimating that he wanted the youngster to be part of his squad.

“Every player is very important, every player has a role,” the Spaniard said when asked about the possibility of the midfielder leaving.

“That role can change throughout the season for different reasons and everybody has to be ready to play. That’s it.”