Transfer: Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal stance on Super Eagles target – “I want him”

Mikel Arteta says he wants Ethan Nwaneri to stay at Arsenal, but the manager has also made clear that regular playing time will decide the teenager's future, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nwaneri, a target of the Nigeria Football Federation, was left out of Arsenal's squad for Sunday's Community Shield against Manchester City. Arsenal won the match 3-0 in Cardiff, with Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scoring. The decision to leave out Nwaneri came hours after Arteta spoke about the need to find the right path for the 19-year-old.

Per the Mirror, Arteta said:

“I want him to be at the club but something is in the medium-long term what is best for the player as well. Ethan needs to play football and if he stays here it's because we can guarantee that he can have those minutes.”

That creates a clear condition for Nwaneri to stay. Arsenal must give him enough first-team football. If that cannot happen, a transfer could become the better option.

Nwaneri is one of the most highly rated products of Arsenal's academy. He became the youngest player to appear for Arsenal and the youngest player to play in the Premier League when he made his senior debut at 15 in September 2022.

He signed a new contract with Arsenal in August 2025 that runs until 2030. He also spent the second half of the 2025-26 season on loan at Marseille after struggling to secure regular Premier League starts.

His loan spell did not give him the regular football expected. He made nine Ligue 1 appearances and played 322 minutes, scoring twice and providing one assist. He also made two appearances in the Coupe de France.

Nwaneri did make a strong start in France. He scored only 13 minutes into his Marseille debut against Lens in a 3-1 win at the Stade Vélodrome back in January.

The problem came later. Roberto De Zerbi left Marseille soon after Nwaneri arrived, and his chances became limited.

Nwaneri: Arsenal face a choice as European clubs circle

Arteta's selection for the first competitive match of the season suggests those minutes cannot be guaranteed.

Nwaneri was not in the Arsenal squad that beat Manchester City, even though he had featured during pre-season. Arteta later explained that the Premier League's nine-substitute limit made it difficult to include every player he wanted. He has called for matchday squads to be increased to 23 players, in line with UEFA competition rules.

That does not remove the transfer question. Several clubs have been linked with Nwaneri. AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Fulham are among the clubs reported to have an interest.

AC Milan is one of the clearest possible destinations. Reports have said the Italian club has held talks with Arsenal about Nwaneri. A deal could include a buy-back clause, which would allow Arsenal to bring him back in the future.

Borussia Dortmund is another possible option. The German club has a strong record of giving young players senior football, making it an attractive route if Nwaneri's main priority is playing time. Reports have also linked RB Leipzig with the England Under-21 midfielder.

Fulham could offer a different route. A move within the Premier League would allow Nwaneri to continue playing in England while gaining more senior football.

Galatasaray has also entered the wider discussion. Arsenal's talks with the Turkish club have involved several players, with reports even suggesting Nwaneri could form part of a deal connected to Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen is a major Arsenal target, but any suggestion that Nwaneri will definitely be used in an exchange remains speculation.

Arsenal begin their league campaign against newly promoted Coventry City on 21 August.