Arteta is afraid of loosing key-player to tittle-winners club that showed ‘Serious interest’ in Arsenal’s untouchable star player that his contract will expire tomorrow.

This post has been viewed 20 times.

Arsenal Battling to Retain Promising Youngster Ethan Nwaneri as Manchester City and Chelsea Circle

Arsenal is facing a fierce battle to retain the services of highly touted 16-year-old talent Ethan Nwaneri, as Manchester City and Chelsea are reportedly hoping to lure him away from the Emirates this Summer.

Nwaneri’s contract is set to expire at end of June, with his schoolboy registration concluding on July 1, granting him the freedom to explore other opportunities.

According to reports, Arsenal has made an enticing offer to Nwaneri in an attempt to persuade him to stay. The club’s academy manager, Per Mertesacker, along with first-team head coach Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu, are all involved in the efforts to convince the promising midfielder to commit his future to the Gunners.

Nwaneri made history last season by becoming the youngest player to feature in a Premier League match. In September 2022, at the age of just 15 years and 181 days, he made his debut against Brentford.

His late substitute appearance not only showcased his precocious talent but also surpassed the previous record set by Harvey Elliot, who was 16 years and 30 days old when he made his league debut for Fulham in 2019.

When questioned about his decision to give Nwaneri his Premier League debut, Arteta expressed his intuition and belief in the young midfielder. “It was a feeling that I had yesterday, I don’t know why,” Arteta said. “The first day I met him, I looked him in his eyes, and everyone was telling me about him. Per was telling me about him. Due to injuries, we had only 12 or 13 senior players available for the squad, so we decided to bring him, and that’s it.”

With Nwaneri’s contractual situation approaching a critical juncture, Arsenal is pulling out all the stops to secure his long-term commitment. The club recognizes his immense potential and views him as a key asset for the future.

However, the allure of Manchester City and Chelsea, two powerhouse clubs renowned for their success in nurturing young talent, presents a formidable challenge for Arsenal to overcome.

As the summer unfolds, Arsenal will hope that their attractive offer, combined with the trust and development opportunities they can provide, will be enough to convince Nwaneri to stay put.

Retaining his services would be a significant boost for the Gunners, as they aim to build a successful and sustainable future with a blend of experienced stars and promising youngsters like Nwaneri.

The battle for Nwaneri’s signature represents the fierce competition among top clubs to secure the brightest talents in the footballing world and highlights the importance of nurturing and protecting young players’ potential.