Arsenal face battle to keep one of their best young talents, Chelsea and Man City could poach him

Arsenal face a battle to keep Ethan Nwaneri, with Chelsea and Manchester City interested, according to a fresh report.

The Gunners’ surge to the top of the Premier League table has partly been led by their academy stars.

Bukayo Saka has been one of Arsenal’s most influential players this term, netting eight goals and claiming seven assists from the right flank.

Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah has been a revelation since taking over from injured striker Gabriel Jesus, scoring four in six Premier League games since Christmas.

Academy product Emile Smith Rowe has had a campaign disrupted by injury but is also expected to play his part before the end of the season as Arsenal look to claim their first title since 2004.

However, the next player on the Hale End conveyor belt could be lured away by Chelsea and Manchester City.

Nwaneri to leave Arsenal?

According to the Secret Scout via Football London, Chelsea are interested in prying Nwaneri away from Arsenal.

Meanwhile, City have also identified Nwaneri as a potential signing, which could result in a three-way battle for the player.

Nwaneri made headlines in September after being handed his Arsenal debut away at Brentford. The cameo saw him become the youngest player to feature in English top-flight history at 15 years and 181 days.

While he has not made a first-team appearance since, Nwaneri has continued to impress in the youth ranks, having scored seven goals in 13 appearances in all competitions this term.

After handing Nwaneri his record-breaking debut, Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports: "He has trained a couple of times with us and I had a feeling yesterday that if the opportunity came I would do it.

"But I think it sends a strong message about who we are as a club. I told him yesterday he would be with us and he had to be ready. He is ready. When he went on I said 'congratulations and enjoy it.

"I don't know what it is. When I met him, when I looked at him, I had that feeling."

Topics: Football, Arsenal, Transfers, Manchester City, Chelsea, Premier League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.