Arsenal want Ethan Nwaneri to commit his long-term future to the club in the coming weeks after holding talks over a new contract.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that reaching an agreement over a new deal has become a priority at the Emirates.
Brown told Football Insider in October that the Gunners were preparing to offer the 17-year-old a “huge” new contract in a show of faith in his ability and potential.
Nwaneri became the youngest Premier League player ever, and the first 15-year-old to ever feature in the competition, when he came on in the closing stages of a win v Brentford in 2020.
Since then, he has become the youngest-ever player to start consecutive league games for Arsenal, and their first player to score two league goals before turning 18.
It is also thought he will play a key role on the right-hand side of Mikel Arteta’s starting XI during Bukayo Saka’s lengthy absence through injury.
Saka sustained a serious hamstring injury during Arsenal’s 5-1 win against Crystal Palace, leaving Arsenal short of numbers in his role and placing pressure on Nwaneri to step up.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience working closely with players at the top level including over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted the youngster will rise to the occasion given the level of faith shown in him.
That [a new contract] is going to be their priority,” he told Football Insider.
“Of course they’re going to want to sign new players, but if you’re able to promote players from within into your starting XI, that can be invaluable.
“As far as I know, talks have already taken place, so I think they’ll want to have reached an agreement within the next few weeks.
“By all accounts, Nwaneri is a huge prospect and he could be in there until Saka gets fit again.
They’ve shown a lot of faith in his ability and Arteta trusts him as well, and the award of a new contract would be a testament to that.”
In other news, Arsenal have made a decision over a transfer for Alexander Isak.
