Nwaneri Signs Pro Contract at Arsenal Despite Premier League Rival Interest
Arsenal’s young talent, Ethan Nwaneri, has signed his first professional contract with the club, putting an end to speculation over a potential move to Premier League rivals Manchester City and Chelsea. The highly-rated midfielder, who just turned 17, expressed his excitement about the deal, stating that he didn’t have to think twice about it because Arsenal feels like home to him.
Nwaneri’s contract is set to last between two and three years, with preliminary talks already underway for a further extension when he turns 18. While the details of his wages remain unknown, it is believed that fellow academy graduates Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe were earning around £3,000-a-week when they signed their first professional contracts.
The young talent made history in September 2022 when he became the youngest player ever to feature in an English top-flight match at just 15 years and 181 days old. Since then, Nwaneri has been given more opportunities by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, making appearances in the Premier League as a substitute.
Nwaneri’s commitment to Arsenal is a proud moment for him and his family. Having joined the club at the age of nine, he considers it his dream come true to reach this stage of his career. He credits the coaching staff at Arsenal, from the under-21 coaches to the under-18s coaches, for helping him develop as a player.
Academy manager Per Mertesacker praised Nwaneri’s ability to control the ball and dominate possession, highlighting that these qualities align with Arsenal’s philosophy. The club sees great potential in Nwaneri and looks forward to his ongoing development in the coming years.
In order to secure Nwaneri’s future at Arsenal, Arteta personally took part in the negotiations. With interest from Manchester City and Chelsea, the Arsenal manager played a hands-on role to ensure that the club’s homegrown talent remained at Hale End.
Nwaneri has already drawn comparisons to the likes of Jack Wilshere, Phil Foden, and current Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard for his skills on the ball. He has impressed senior players during training sessions and has been included in several Champions League matchday squads. This season, he has showcased his abilities in the academy set-up, scoring 14 goals in 14 appearances.
As Nwaneri embarks on his professional career with Arsenal, the club is excited to see him grow and contribute to their success. With his talent and dedication, he has the potential to become a key player for the Gunners in the years to come.
In a recent interview, former Arsenal and Chelsea player Ashley Cole selected his all-time teammates XI, and it’s interesting to see how many players from both clubs made the cut.