Arsenal have officially announced that young attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri has signed a new contract with the club, committing his future to the Emirates Stadium.
The 18-year-old, who rose through Arsenal’s academy, enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024/25, making 37 appearances across all competitions and scoring nine goals. His performances established him as an increasingly important member of Mikel Arteta’s squad, and the club have now moved to secure his services for the long term.
Speaking to Arsenal’s official website, Nwaneri expressed his excitement at the deal, calling it a major milestone in his career. “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.”
The midfielder’s decision to stay comes despite reported interest from Chelsea earlier this summer. According to previous reports, the west London club had identified Nwaneri as a potential signing, but he has opted to remain with Arsenal, where he has developed since joining their youth ranks.
Nwaneri’s rise continues a strong track record for Arsenal’s academy in recent years. Bukayo Saka remains the standout graduate, becoming a mainstay for both club and country, while Nwaneri and fellow youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly are increasingly featuring in first-team plans. Arsenal’s youth setup has also recently introduced 15-year-old Max Dowman, who impressed in pre-season friendlies but is expected to wait longer before playing regularly in competitive matches.
Nwaneri’s own Arsenal journey has already made Premier League history. He made his senior debut in September 2022 at just 15 years old, becoming the youngest player ever to appear in the competition. His progression since then has been closely watched, with last season marking his first as a regular squad member contributing goals and creativity from midfield.
The club have not disclosed the length or financial details of the new deal, but the announcement signals Arsenal’s commitment to building around young, homegrown talent. Manager Mikel Arteta has consistently spoken about the importance of blending youth development with top-level recruitment to maintain long-term competitiveness.
For Nwaneri, the contract represents not only stability but also an opportunity to continue developing under Arteta’s guidance. His ability to operate as both a central attacking midfielder and a wide forward offers tactical flexibility, and his composure on the ball, vision, and goal-scoring instincts have drawn praise from coaches and analysts alike.
Arsenal supporters have greeted the news positively, seeing Nwaneri as one of the club’s brightest prospects for the future. His signing is viewed as a statement that the Gunners intend to retain and nurture their most promising talents rather than risk losing them to domestic rivals.
With the new Premier League season approaching, Nwaneri will be aiming to build on his breakthrough year, compete for more starting opportunities, and contribute to Arsenal’s pursuit of silverware. His contract renewal adds to the sense of optimism among fans as the club looks to challenge for major honours in the coming campaigns.
