Arsenal appear to have a big decision to make regarding the departure of Ethan Nwaneri, with reports suggesting he could be loaned out in January. The highly-rated teenager has been in the first team under manager Mikel Arteta since making his Gunners debut aged just 15. However, he has yet to start a league game for the North Londoners this season.
Despite signing a new contract at the Emirates Stadium in the summer, questions have been raised over Nwaneri’s immediate future. Reports suggest that he could leave the club temporarily when the January transfer window opens. A move like this would allow him to get more playing time, which can only be good for his development.
Express Sport is considering four possible loan destinations for Nwaneri.
Fulham
A move to Craven Cottage will allow Nwaneri to continue adapting to Premier League football while getting more game time than he did at Arsenal.
Several players have swapped Fulham for Arsenal in recent years, including Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe. Mr Nwaneri would not have to relocate from the capital by joining West Londoners, which could be an attractive factor.
west ham
A potential move to West Ham would present an interesting challenge for Nwaneri. They are currently in the relegation zone, but with the addition of more quality, they could save themselves from a predicament.
Such a move would give the teenage playmaker a chance to be a hero for the Hammers as they look to secure their survival in the top flight over the coming months. And like Fulham, he could join them without leaving London.
nottingham forest
The Arsenal man’s move to the City Ground will see him tasked with a similar task of helping pull a struggling team out of danger.
Working under Sean Dyche could allow Nwaneri to improve the core parts of his game. He will also link up with several of his England youth team-mates, including James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson.
marseille
Should Nwaneri decide to move abroad, he could do worse than joining Marseille. There is already a large contingent of England internationals in the south of France, with players such as CJ Egan Riley, Mason Greenwood and Angel Gomez among their names.
Throughout his time at the club, and his previous spell at Brighton, manager Roberto De Zerbi has shown that he is not afraid to get results from his young players.
Marseille are a huge team and by appearing for Marseille regularly, Nwaneri will gain more experience in that regard and at the same time get more playing time than if he remained at Arsenal.
