Ethan Nwaneri signs first professional contract at Arsenal after turning down offers from TWO Premier League giants

ARSENAL wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri signed his first professional contract and said: “I didn’t have to think about it – this is my home”.

The highly-rated Gunners midfielder – who turned 17 last week – put pen to paper on a deal between two and three years to end speculation of leaving for interested Prem rivals Manchester City and Chelsea.

And it is understood that preliminary talks are already in place for another bumper extension to be signed when Nwaneri turns 18.

While Nwaneri’s new wages are unknown, fellow academy graduates Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe – now 22 and 23 respectively – were believed to be earning around £3,000-a-week upon signing their first pro deals.

Nwaneri made Prem history in September 2022 when at 15 years and 181 days old he became the youngest to ever feature in an English top-flight match, brought off the bench by boss Mikel Arteta in a 3-0 win away at Brentford.

Arteta has given the teenager more Prem opportunities this campaign – another substitute appearance in their 6-0 win away at West Ham back in February.

And after leaving his scholarship days behind to commit to his boyhood club, which he joined at nine-years-old, Nwaneri said: “It’s a proud moment for me and my family to finally be here. I’m ready to keep working.

“It was the dream to get to this stage. I’ve always thought about when this day would come and I’ve been looking forward to it. I didn’t have to think about it – this is my family and it feels like home here.

“It feels so special to me here. The opportunities from Mikel, all the under-21 coaches, under-18s coaches, they’ve all helped me develop so I’m grateful to them.”

Academy manager Per Mertesacker added: “Ethan has a strong ability to master the ball and dominate possession, this is what we are all about at Arsenal.

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“He is someone that will thrive on and off the pitch, he is a strong young gunner and we look forward to working with him during his ongoing development in the years to come.”

With Man City and Chelsea lurking, Arteta took a hands-on approach in negotiations to ensure the club’s homegrown Hale End talent in Nwaneri stayed put.

Nwaneri has already been compared to the likes of Jack Wilshere, Phil Foden and current skipper Martin Odegaard for his ability on the ball – impressing several current first team players when he regularly joins in training with the seniors and in numerous Champions League matchday squads.

He has shown that ability this season in the academy set-up, with 14 goals in 14 appearances so far.