After Gyokeres: Arsenal to launch bid for £60m “magician”, he’s bad news for Nwaneri – Report…

Following Gyokeres: Arsenal is set to make a move for the £60m “magician”, which could spell trouble for Nwaneri – a perspective

It’s fair to say that last season was somewhat disappointing for Arsenal.

Rather than finally crossing the finish line, Mikel Arteta’s team had to settle for a third consecutive second-place finish in the Premier League, this time trailing significantly behind the eventual champions, Liverpool.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t entirely bleak, as the previous year also marked the integration of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri into the first team, with Lewis-Skelly making 39 appearances and Nwaneri 37, during which he netted nine goals and provided two assists.

However, while Lewis-Skelly has secured a new long-term contract, Nwaneri has yet to do so, and if the rumors are accurate, the club may be on the verge of acquiring someone who could negatively impact the Enfield-born talent.

Arsenal is pursuing a star who might be detrimental to Nwaneri

Having progressed through the Hale End academy, made his first team debut in 2022, and being recognized as one of the most promising talents in football, Nwaneri signed his first professional contract in March 2024.

Since that time, the young English player has continued to grow, and although he isn’t a regular starter, he has displayed significant flashes of talent and has made a name for himself at just 18 years of age.

However, in the past week, reports have emerged indicating that negotiations for a new contract have not been advancing as optimistically as some had hoped, with the primary issue being playing time.

While it seems that this matter will eventually be addressed, it is a concern that could arise again in a few years, particularly as the North London club appears poised to sign a player who could threaten Nwaneri’s position.

Indeed, with reports of Viktor Gyokeres’ imminent arrival, journalist Sebastien Vidal has confirmed that Arsenal is highly interested in acquiring Eberechi Eze this summer, with Arteta ‘prepared to make a strong move’.

He has disclosed that the Gunners intend to make an offer for the Englishman, which could reach up to £60m, structured in three payments of £20m.

It remains uncertain whether Crystal Palace will accept this proposal, as numerous reports this summer have indicated that the skilled playmaker has a release clause of approximately £68m in his current contract.

Acquiring Eze could prove to be a complex and expensive transfer, but he has shown that he would be a valuable addition, even if his signing might create challenges for Nwaneri.

Why Eze could pose challenges for Nwaneri

The main reason Eze’s potential arrival at Arsenal could be detrimental to Nwaneri is quite simple: playing time.

According to the reports we’ve encountered this week, this appears to be the teenager’s primary concern at present, and it is an issue that could diminish if the Palace star were to join the Emirates.

For instance, although the 27-year-old is not likely to take minutes away from him on the right flank, he would represent yet another established international player who would rank above him in the hierarchy for midfield opportunities.

Thus, if the Hale Ender aims to gain more experience in the position that many believe he is destined to play, he would need to surpass both Martin Odegaard and the Greenwich-born talent, which, given his performance last season, seems like a formidable challenge.

Indeed, the Eagles’ remarkable “duel monster,” as described by reporter Simon Collings, managed to net 14 goals and provide 11 assists in 43 matches, averaging a goal contribution every 1.72 games.

Furthermore, the former QPR star has proven that he possesses the mentality to make an impact in crucial matches, having scored in both the quarter-final and semi-final of the FA Cup, and netting the decisive goal in the final as well.

In conclusion, while acquiring Eze may not significantly affect Nwaneri’s playing time on the right side, as a backup to Bukayo Saka, it would certainly influence his potential playing time in the central midfield.

Consequently, although Arteta and his team should aim to acquire the Palace powerhouse, they must also focus on providing additional playing time to the Hale End prodigy.