‘MIKEL ARTETA REALLY RANKS HIM’: JOURNALIST SAYS AGENTS TOLD HIM ARSENAL STAR WAS ALMOST JOINING CHELSEA
According to Charles Watts, it was a foregone conclusion that Ethan Nwaneri would quit Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and join either Chelsea or Manchester City.
Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history when he made his debut against Brentford at the age of 15 years and 181 days.
This cast a huge spotlight on the now-16-year-old, with Arsenal expert Watts adding that ‘loads of agents’ told him he was leaving for London rivals Chelsea, or even potentially Pep Guardiola’s side, as he stated on his own YouTube channel.
The title contenders in the Premier League were able to sign him to a new deal with the option of a professional contract when he reaches 17.
Recently, he scored a hat-trick for the U21s in a 4-1 victory over Leicester, which brought the club’s rising star even further into the limelight.
Watts stated that Mikel Arteta holds the attacking-minded midfielder in high regard.
Watts stated, “This summer, Arsenal fought hard to retain Ethan Nwaneri.” “They were able to retain him. Once he reaches the age of 17, he will execute a new professional contract he agreed to once he turned 17 years old.
“I believe Nwaneri’s development this season will be extremely intriguing. Arsenal have lofty ambitions for him. They highly regard him. The fact that Mikel Arteta played him as a 15-year-old last season speaks volumes.
“As previously stated, they fought very hard to retain him, as his departure was a foregone conclusion for a long time. Numerous agents with whom I spoke were convinced that he had left and would contract with either Manchester City or Chelsea.
“However, Arsneal was able to change his mind, redirect his attention, and close the deal.”
The Hale-End academy of Arsenal.
Given that a player like Bukayo Saka has graduated from the Hale-End academy and begun to demonstrate that he is one of the finest wingers in the Premier League, Nwaneri is now held to a higher standard.
Arsenal’s academy is proving to be one of the finest in the country, as Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah are all products of the program.
Not to mention Folarin Balogun, who scored 21 goals in France’s top division last year, and is now being linked to a transfer away from the club for a substantial fee.
‘MIKEL ARTETA REALLY RANKS HIM’: JOURNALIST SAYS AGENTS TOLD HIM ARSENAL STAR WAS ALMOST JOINING CHELSEA