Ethan Nwaneri targets bigger role with Arsenal after signing long-term deal

Ethan Nwaneri has said he feels at home at Arsenal after signing a new long-term deal and is determined to build on his breakthrough season. It is understood Nwaneri, the youngest Premier League debutant after playing for Arsenal aged 15 years and 181 days in 2022, has signed a five-year deal despite interest from Chelsea and clubs in Germany.

The 18-year-old was the youngest member of England’s victorious squad at this summer’s European Under-21 Championship and has made 39 appearances for Arsenal, scoring nine goals. In January he became only the third player, after Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, to score three Premier League goals before his 18th birthday.

Premier League regulations meant he had been using a separate changing room to the rest of Arsenal’s senior players until turning 18 in March and Nwaneri said on Friday he was looking forward to a bigger role at the club he joined as an eight-year-old.

“Signing this contract means everything to me,” he said. “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. I think I’ve actually become more direct over the past few years and I’ve added more goals, so I’m excited for what will come next.”

Along with Myles Lewis-Skelly, who also signed a new long-term Arsenal contract this summer after breaking into the first team and making his senior England debut last season, Nwaneri is regarded as one of the best young prospects to have emerged from Arsenal’s Hale End academy in recent years.

Max Dowman has been tipped to follow in their footsteps and the 15-year-old was praised by Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat by Villarreal in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, when Nwaneri started in midfield.

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“He continues to impress, without a doubt,” the manager said of Dowman. “The impact he had in the game again, the efficiency that he shows in every attack and action, it’s incredible. He deserves to have chances, and if he continues like this, let’s see what happens.” Arsenal start their season away against Manchester United on 17 August.

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