Ethan Nwaneri contract: Mikel Arteta sent "minutes" warning as new Arsenal deal 'agreed'

Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri can expect to challenge Martin Odegaard for minutes more often in the 2025-26 season ahead of his imminent contract signing, expert Charles Watts believes.

The Gunners are ostensibly about to agree their third contract renewal of the summer, as Fabrizio Romano has reported that a deal has been reached in principle between Nwaneri and the Premier League runners-up.

Nwaneri's current terms expire at the end of the next campaign, and London rivals Chelsea - who are about to sell Noni Madueke to Arsenal - were alleged to have shown an interest in a deal this summer amid the slight uncertainty.

However, the Premier League's youngest-ever player is now set to follow Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Magalhaes by penning fresh terms, which is music to Watts's ears.

“It's definitely a relief," Watts told Sports Mole. "It would have been awful to see Ethan Nwaneri go. I think a lot of negativity towards Madueke was that people viewed his arrival could signal the end for Ethan because these contract talks were going on, they hadn't come to a conclusion. Imagine if you watched Nwaneri playing for one of Arsenal's rivals?

Nwaneri needs "proper minutes" after Arsenal contract signing

“If this contract gets signed, it's going to be so interesting to see where Nwaneri’s minutes come, what position, how Arteta uses him, because that would have been absolutely crucial to getting these talks over the line. When you look at the squad, the quality, you wonder where he's going to get the minutes he needs to really play. I'm not talking about two minutes here or there, I'm talking proper minutes.

“It's something Arteta is going to have to work hard on and manage to make sure he does get the minutes. But from a purely fan point of view, it's brilliant to see that this deal looks like it is going to happen because it would have been awful to see him go elsewhere.”

During his breakthrough 2024-25 campaign, Nwaneri was predominantly used on the right-hand side by Mikel Arteta, covering for Bukayo Saka both when his superior was fit and during his lengthy spell out with a hamstring injury.

The Hale End product made a name for himself with nine goals in all competitions and found his trademark finish, cutting inside from the right and bending a left-footed strike into the far corner.

However, Arsenal reportedly believe that his future lies in a more central position, suggesting that he will act as direct competition for captain Martin Odegaard in the most advanced midfield role next term.

Odegaard struggled to influence games throughout a large chunk of 2024-25, in part due to having no real lieutenant in his position, but Watts feels that Nwaneri will have to rack up more minutes centrally if he has been made assurances in contract negotiations.

"A big ask" for Nwaneri to fill Odegaard's boots

“If they've made promises to him to get this deal over the line, the only position you really see it being is that position, sharing it with Odegaard," he added. "It's a big ask for a young player like him, though, because Odegaard does so much in his team. It's not just about the playmaking, it's about leading the press, dropping back at times, getting the ball from the defenders and moving forward.

“Maybe with the addition of [Martin] Zubimendi, Odegaard won't have to do that as much. He can stay higher up the pitch, receive those balls on the half-turn from Zubimendi and really attack, like we saw before, but last season he was definitely deeper. There's a lot of responsibility on that position, and I think that's probably why we didn't see Arteta use him as much because he just didn't think he was ready.

“But going forward now, especially with the addition of Madueke, you look at where he's going to play, it has to be that position. And I think that would be good for Arteta, certainly good from Nwaneri’s point of view, because that's his best position in my view.

“Good for Odegaard as well to be able to take him out of the firing line when he's not playing well. He didn't play well at times last season, but Arsenal couldn't really take him out of the team. But hopefully with Nwaneri a year older, more experienced, they will be able to do that.”

Nwaneri's new deal is expected to run for five years in total, although it is not clear whether that will be a fixed agreement until 2030 or a renewal until 2029 with the option of a further 12 months.

> Click here to listen to the full discussion on Nwaneri's new Arsenal contract

Written by
Ben Knapton