Arsenal to ignite ‘uproar’ with Ethan Nwaneri swap for Chelsea star Noni Madueke

The 18-year-old became a first-team regular under Mikel Arteta last season, in large part thanks to an injury suffered by Bukayo Saka.

And in place of his fellow Hale End graduate, Nwaneri blossomed in an unfamiliar right-wing position and was regularly the Gunners’ best player, in spite of his lack of experience.

However, Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Chelsea winger Madueke, a puzzling move given right-wing is one of the few positions Arteta’s side are blessed with depth.

But the move is beginning to make more sense now, after it emerged that Nwaneri had still not committed to a new contract with Arsenal, and the 18-year-old will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in January, should he fail to sign an extension.

Ethan Nwaneri urged to stay at Arsenal

TalkSPORT reported on 5 July that Nwaneri was hesitating on signing an extension and wants guarantees over his playing time.

Speaking on the issue, former Chelsea defender Scott Minto urged the young star to stay with his current club after it emerged that the Blues were interested in the England Under-21 international, as revealed by Fabrizio Romano on X.

But when asked whether he could see a swap deal happening between Nwaneri and Madueke, Minto said (7 July): “Arsenal fans would be in uproar if that was the case. I mean, he’s the Premier League’s youngest player isn’t he, 15 at the time.

“I thought he had more minutes than I thought he would, amazing talent, and if Gareth Southgate was still in charge, I think he would have a chance of getting into the national side.”

Host Max Scott then asked if Nwaneri was in a position to demand first-team minutes at Arsenal, Minto said: “No, no he’s not, no he’s absolutely not.

“He’s still really young. You’re at Arsenal Football Club, one of the biggest in the country, one of the biggest in Europe, great place to develop, you’re still so young.”

Arsenal in tough position after Nwaneri demands

Football Insider Verdict

Arsenal are in a brutal position if Nwaneri is demanding guarantees about his first-team involvement.

The Gunners have no place in their starting XI for the England U21 international without Arteta changing his tactical set-up.

The Spaniard uses one attacking central midfielder, and that position is occupied by club captain Martin Odegaard, and 18-year-old is not going to displace Declan Rice on the left.

Whilst Gabriel Martinelli endured a difficult 2024/25 season, his pace and direct style are a much-needed contrast to what Saka offers on the other flank, making both wings off-limits to Nwaneri.

The youngsters’ demands are valid; he is too good to be a super-sub or a bit-part player.

However, Nwaneri is also too good to be sold as he is a genuine once-in-a-generation talent, meaning the club’s hierarchy has two options: let him go, or force Arteta into benching one of his star players. This could turn out to be a very messy affair