Ethan Nwaneri Signs New Long-Term Contract

Several reports throughout the summer had mentioned Arsenal and Nwaneri's representatives working on a new contract, which led to Nwaneri doing a lot of individual training over the past few months away from the team before the preseason tour in Asia. Nwaneri's involvement in the tour led to presumptions that a deal had either been struck or most of the framework had been agreed upon, and it was nearing completion.

Today, we received confirmation that he has signed a contract, with unofficial reports stating that it is a 5-year deal until 2030, when he will still only be 23 years old. In the official release from Arsenal, they explicitly refer to him as an attacking midfielder, which is a meaningful distinction given he played the majority of last season as Saka's backup on the right wing. However, he has spent the entire preseason in the right 8 role as an attacking midfielder, which also makes me believe that it was likely a key topic of discussion during negotiations for him to play in his preferred position moving forward.

When asked about his long-term position in an interview on Arsenal.com, he stated,

"I think midfield...but I'm a very versatile player, so I think I'm going to play anywhere across the front five, and I’m ready to do what the manager needs.”

Regarding signing his new contract:,

“Signing this contract means everything to me. I see this as my first real season in men’s senior football, as part of the squad in the changing room. I'm so excited for what I can bring to the team. I want to help us win as much as possible and bring happiness and glory to the club. This is where I feel at home.”

Nwaneri had one of the most impressive seasons for a teenager (17) in their first season with the first team that I can remember, making 37 appearances across all competitions, starting 16 times, and scoring nine goals, two of which were in the Champions League. He also became only the third player (after Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney) to score three Premier League goals before his 18th birthday. I believe he has one of the highest potentials to have ever come through Arsenal's academy. He has a unique eye for goal, power, and placement in his shots that young midfielders before him, Saka, Smith-Rowe, and Wilshire, had to all develop. In a way, he is a striker with the ball-carrying and vision of a midfielder, which fits perfectly in the modern game, given the premium on well-rounded goal scorers.

It's also a skillset and approach to the game that the current squad lacks as a whole. Of course, we have players that can score goals, but I often feel that we lack bite and aggression in the final third, and Nwaneri is a shoot-on-site midfielder that will take his opportunities when he has an opening. Another great part of his game is that he doesn't require a lot of back lift to get shots off, so his windows of opportunity can be smaller or need less space to shoot, but he can execute with the same degree of precision. It's a stark contrast from Odegaard, who often feels timid to shoot at the best of times or needs to perfect the opening to shoot, something you rarely get against the best teams.

At 18 years old, Nwaneri already stands out in this very good Arsenal team because he brings elements that supporters and pundits believe the squad lacks. A truly attacking element to that midfield and front line. It's part of the reason fans have wanted Arsenal to sign players like Eberechi Eze, or are envious of Liverpool signing Wirtz, or Man City signing Cherki, to add creativity and goal threat to their midfields. i believe Nwaneri can become as good as or better than all of those players and he is the player I am most excited to watch take another step in his development this season. Nwaneri has all the tools to eventually become one of the best players in the world.