Arsenal Plan Long-Term Contract for Rising Star Amid Growing Interest | OneFootball

Arsenal Move to Lock Down Ethan Nwaneri Amid Growing Interest

Nwaneri’s Meteoric Rise

Arsenal are acting decisively to secure the long-term future of teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri, with a new five-year contract reportedly close, according to Mail Sport. The attacker, who turned 18 today, has emerged as one of Mikel Arteta’s most promising young talents, stepping in admirably during Bukayo Saka’s injury-enforced absence.

Nwaneri has already scored eight goals in 29 appearances this season, a remarkable return for a player still in his teens. His development has been so rapid that Arsenal are eager to extend his initial three-year deal, signed at age 17, to fend off growing interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.

Photo IMAGO

“He turned 18 today and the north London club are looking to go a step further to secure his long term future, with Nwaneri’s quick progression this season having surpassed the high expectations of Arsenal staff.”

A Star in the Making

Nwaneri became a household name in 2022 when he made his Premier League debut against Brentford aged 15 years and 181 days, becoming the youngest player ever to appear in England’s top flight. Since then, he has not only held his own but grown into a key contributor for the first team.

Currently on international duty with England U21s, his rise has impressed coaches at both club and country level. Arsenal’s commitment to youth development is once again paying dividends.

Photo: IMAGO

Contract Talks Beyond Nwaneri

Nwaneri is not the only focus in the boardroom. Arsenal are also expected to open talks with Bukayo Saka over a new deal. The winger remains a cornerstone of Arteta’s system, and tying him down is viewed as equally critical.

“Contract negotiations are high on the agenda at Arsenal right now, with Mail Sport reporting earlier this week that the club are set to open talks with Saka over a new deal.”

Centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, whose contracts run until 2027, are also expected to attract attention from Europe’s elite clubs. Keeping this talented core intact will be key if Arsenal are to maintain their recent upward trajectory.

Youth Policy Paying Off

This contract push is not merely symbolic—it’s strategic. Arsenal have built their current revival on youth, and Nwaneri represents the next generation of Hale End graduates capable of carrying the club’s ambitions forward.

“He then continued to impress at youth team level, before becoming a permanent member of the first-team squad this season.”

Our View – EPL Index

There’s a sense of real excitement around Ethan Nwaneri, and rightly so. Watching a homegrown talent blossom into a first-team regular is the kind of story Arsenal fans dream of. The fact that he’s only just turned 18 and already carrying part of the attacking load—especially in Saka’s absence—is a testament to his maturity and technical quality.

Locking him down to a five-year deal sends the right message. For years, Arsenal struggled to keep hold of their best young players. This new approach under Edu and Arteta feels like a culture shift: identify early, develop quickly, and retain resolutely.

What adds a layer of optimism is how Mail Sport has positioned Nwaneri’s development—not as a lucky break, but as a carefully guided journey. There’s no panic in this renewal; just proactive planning. Arsenal fans have seen this script before with Saka, Martinelli and Saliba. Now, Nwaneri joins that elite group.

The concern? Saliba and Gabriel. Two defensive rocks, two expiring contracts in 2027, and two names already floating in the orbit of top-tier European clubs. Arsenal must sort them swiftly—because keeping Nwaneri only makes sense if the foundation behind him is equally secure.

Still, today’s news is a positive step forward. One more reason to believe that Arsenal’s future is not just bright—it’s already unfolding in front of our eyes.