Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Ethan Nwaneri needs to be playing regularly as the club considers the 19-year-old midfielder’s future amid interest from AC Milan.
Nwaneri impressed Arsenal’s coaching staff during pre-season, but the club has not yet made a final decision on whether he will remain with the first team or leave on loan.
AC Milan are considering a temporary move for the England midfielder. The Italian club’s interest comes after Nwaneri spent last season on loan at Marseille.
Arteta said the priority for Nwaneri at this stage of his development is to play, with Arsenal set to assess how much involvement he can have at the beginning of the new campaign.
“Ethan needs to be playing at the moment,” Arteta said.
The midfielder’s performances during pre-season have strengthened his position within Arsenal’s plans, although his role in the squad remains under review. The club will make a final decision after considering where he fits into Arteta’s team when the season starts.
That assessment will determine whether Nwaneri stays at Arsenal or whether a further loan move is considered. AC Milan are one of the clubs looking at the possibility of signing him temporarily.
For Arsenal, the decision centres on finding the right balance between Nwaneri’s development and his opportunities to play competitive football. His encouraging pre-season has given him a stronger case for involvement, but the club still needs to establish whether regular minutes will be available in the first-team squad.
Nwaneri’s previous loan spell at Marseille means he already has experience of playing away from Arsenal. AC Milan are now exploring whether another temporary move could be an option, but no agreement has been reached.
Arteta’s comments indicate that playing time will be a central factor in the decision. Arsenal will first evaluate Nwaneri’s place in the squad at the start of the season before determining what happens next.
For now, the midfielder remains an Arsenal player, while AC Milan’s interest continues to be considered. The outcome will depend on the role Arsenal believe he can play and whether that provides him with the regular football Arteta says he needs.