Ethan Nwaneri has made just 10 appearances for Arsenal this season after signing a new contract at the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has come under fire for refusing to allow Ethan Nwaneri a few more minutes after he was placed on the bench in Wednesday night’s 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugge. Fans made their feelings known on social media, with some suggesting Nwaneri was within his rights to ask for a transfer.
The Gunners boss made five changes to his side, who lost 2-1 to Aston Villa, and started the Belgian forward line. Victor Gokeres replaced Mikel Merino as centre-forward, while Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke replaced Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze.
Despite the changes in attack, Arteta decided not to use Nwaneri. The 18-year-old has only started three games this season, two in the EFL Cup and one in the Champions League.
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He was named on the bench for the trip to Brugge, but this decision left many in the Arsenal fan base questioning why he was not given a rare starting appearance. One fan asked X (formerly Twitter), writing: “If you don’t let Ethan Nwaneri play in a game like this, when are you going to play him?”
Another added: “We’re trying to figure out what the manager is planning with Ethan Nwaneri. Despite the ongoing injury crisis, the close games that end up costing him points and the number of games he (Arteta) is unhappy with, he’s not letting him play the odd game.”
“Ethan Nwaneri will definitely push for a move away from the club in January and I think he will be justified in doing so,” added one disgruntled fan. “There’s no need to start Merino and Zvimendi for tonight’s game, but we all know how scared Mikel Arteta is when it comes to player rotation.”
Arsenal have Nwaneri in their long-term plans and do not expect to lose the teenager, although some reports earlier this year suggested he could leave the club on loan if a suitable offer comes in in January.
Nwaneri signed a new contract in north London in the summer and committed to the club after his position within Arsenal’s squad came into question. The Academy product was featured just 10 times across all competitions and played for less than 500 minutes.
Late last month, Nwaneri was one of several players to take part in a friendly behind closed doors, along with Gabriel Jesus, who returned from injury in Belgium.
He came on in the 70th minute against Club Brugge with the Gunners leading 3-0. The teenager looked lively in his 20-minute cameo, coming close on numerous occasions and forcing good saves from the Brugge keeper.
Noni Madueke scored twice on either side of half-time and Gabriel Martinelli sealed the points for the Gunners with a superb third goal.
This was his 50th appearance for the club and his first since coming on as a second-half substitute in the 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. When he came off the bench, fans took to social media to urge Arteta to prove himself.
“Finally Nwaneri’s turn. Ethan, show your true feelings to those in charge, kid,” one person wrote. “I’m happy for Nwaneri’s goal. I want the coach to show what he’s forgetting.”
Despite the anger towards Arteta, it was a great night for him and his team as they all but guaranteed automatic qualification to the next stage of the Champions League.
Arsenal remain at the top of the table with six wins from six games, three points behind second-placed Bayern and sixth-placed Atletico Madrid, who hold the final automatic spot in eighth place.
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