Ethan Nwaneri has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal and said he feels at home at the club, as he sets his sights on building on a breakthrough season. The 18-year-old midfielder, who joined Arsenal at the age of eight, has committed his future to the club despite reported interest from Chelsea and clubs in Germany.
Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history when he appeared for Arsenal at 15 years and 181 days in September 2022. He has since made 39 first-team appearances, scoring nine goals, and was part of England's victorious European Under-21 Championship squad this summer. In January, he became only the third player, after Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, to score three Premier League goals before his 18th birthday.
Due to Premier League regulations, Nwaneri had been required to use a separate changing room from Arsenal's senior players until he turned 18 in March. He said he now views the upcoming campaign as his first real season in men's senior football, adding: "Signing this contract means everything to me. 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."
Nwaneri is regarded as one of the finest prospects to emerge from Arsenal's Hale End academy in recent years, alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly, who also signed a new long-term contract this summer after breaking into the first team and earning his senior England debut. Another academy talent, 15-year-old Max Dowman, has been tipped to follow in their footsteps, with manager Mikel Arteta praising his impact during Wednesday's pre-season friendly defeat to Villarreal. "He continues to impress, without a doubt," Arteta said. "The impact he had in the game again, the efficiency that he shows in every attack and action, it's incredible."
Arsenal begin their Premier League season with an away fixture against Manchester United on 17 August.
