Man City and Chelsea hoping to poach "unplayable" Arsenal youngster

Manchester City and Chelsea are hoping to sign Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri before he agrees to a professional contract with the Gunners, according to reports.

The 15-year-old became the youngest player ever to appear in the top division of English football when he came off the bench against Brentford in September 2022.

That record had previously been held by Sunderland goalkeeper Derek Foster since 1964, and Nwaneri also became the youngest player to appear in a senior game for Arsenal.

Such is Nwaneri's ability and potential, he has been playing well above his age group, in Arsenal's U18 and U21 sides.

And U18 boss Jack Wilshere was full of praise for the midfielder after his brace in a 3-3 draw with Manchester United in December.

Wilshere said: "In the second half, he was very good. He was unplayable at times. He had a few good moments. In the second half, a lot of players stepped up a level, we found some more space.

"We spoke to them a little bit at half-time about a few tactical things which allowed Ethan to free up. We had a really good balance in the team and Ethan was good in the second half."

However, his displays have also caught the eye of two other top Premier League clubs.

Man City, Chelsea keen on Arsenal starlet

Goal have reported that Nwaneri has not yet signed his first professional contract with Arsenal - and that City and Chelsea are both tracking the midfielder with a view to making a move. The 15-year-old does not turn 16 until March 21.

It is claimed that Arsenal are unsurprisingly desperate to keep one of their most promising youngsters at the club, although recognise they need to present him with a clear pathway to the first team.

If he does move to Chelsea, Nwaneri would be following the same path as fellow Gunners starlet Omari Hutchinson did last summer.

The winger made his Premier League debut for the Blues on January 5, against City. However, that remains his only league appearance, and he has not been named in a matchday squad since January 8.

The 19-year-old, who has represented Jamaica at international level, agreed to join Championship side West Brom on loan on deadline day, but the deal fell through. Football.london reported that the move failed as the Baggies elected to sign Marc Albrighton on loan from Leicester instead.