2014 World Cup winner Mertesacker backs Nwaneri to thrive on and off the pitch after going pro at Arsenal 

2014 World Cup-winning defender with Germany, Per Mertesacker is backing Ethan Nwaneri to thrive on and off the pitch after signing his first professional contract at Premier League side Arsenal.

This time last year, the future of Nwaneri at the Gunners was up in the air with reports linking him with possible moves to Chelsea and Manchester City.

Arsenal were able to fend off interest from their Premier League rivals by offering him two new deals before the start of the season - a scholarship which was converted into a professional contract upon his seventeenth birthday.

The signing ceremony took place this week after his return to Arsenal following his participation in the Elite Round of the 2024 European U17 Championship qualifiers with the England U17 national team.

Nwaneri has played nonstop at Arsenal since the age of eight, rising through the academy ranks to make his first team debut in a Premier League clash at Brentford in September 2022.

And in doing so, the Hale End Academy graduate became the youngest player in history to feature in the English top-flight, aged 15 years and 181 days. 

Commenting on Nwaneri's new deal with Arsenal,.Academy manager Mertesacker said to the club's official webpage: "We are extremely proud of Ethan and his journey, from pre-academy to Hale End, then a seamless transition to Sobha Realty Training Centre and then making his first team debut.

"Ethan’s journey now continues, and we will all be there alongside him to support his development.

“Ethan has a strong ability to master the ball, dominate possession and is really effective in the final third, which fits into our playing style at Arsenal Football Club.

"He is someone that will thrive on and off the pitch as a Strong Young Gunner and we look forward to working with him during his ongoing development in the years to come."

Nwaneri has impressed this season, contributing to seventeen goals (14 goals, 3 assists) in fourteen appearances for Arsenal's youth teams.

Igho Kingsley 

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

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