Ethan Nwaneri 'to sign first professional Arsenal deal next week'

The Englishman was just 15 years and 181 days old when he came off the bench against Brentford in September 2022, becoming the youngest man to feature in the Premier League in the process.

Nwaneri broke the previous record set by Liverpool's Harvey Elliott at the Gtech Community Stadium in Arsenal's 3-0 win, where Mikel Arteta explained that he had a "gut feeling" about the teenager.

Nwaneri did not make another first-team appearance last season but continued to make waves at youth level, and he played his second match for the seniors in February's 6-0 romping of West Ham United.

With some of their top-flight rivals beginning to take notice of Nwaneri, Arsenal successfully negotiated scholarship terms - which run out in 2025 - with their Hale End starlet last summer.

However, the England youth international celebrated his 17th birthday on Thursday, meaning that he is now eligible to pen professional terms in North London.

According to the Daily Mail, Nwaneri will convert his scholarship deal into a professional contract in the coming days, when he returns from international duty with England's Under-17s.

The midfielder is apparently set to commit the next two or three years of his career to the Gunners, who have kept Manchester City and Chelsea at arm's length to keep Nwaneri at the club.

In addition, the report adds that "informal" discussions have already been held over a new-and-improved contract when Nwaneri turns 18 in March 2024, unless the teenager is tempted into a move elsewhere.

Amid his gradual integration into first-team football, Nwaneri has improved his goal threat for the youth teams this season and scored a remarkable five times in one game during a 7-1 FA Youth Cup crushing of Crewe Alexandra in December.

The playmaker has also had a direct hand in nine goals from as many Premier League 2 games for the Under-21s this season, netting seven of his own and laying on two assists.

Nwaneri kept his goalscoring momentum going on international duty this month too, netting in both of England Under-17s European Championship qualifying wins over Northern Ireland and Hungary.

Nwaneri's first professional deal at Arsenal will come just a matter of days after Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White both signed new-and-improved contracts, joining several of their teammates in doing so.

Aaron Ramsdale, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Martinelli have also agreed renewals since the start of the 2022-23 season, as Arteta and Edu secure the long-term future of their young core.

Arsenal lead the way at the top of the Premier League table, above Liverpool on goal difference and one point clear of Manchester City, whom they meet at the Etihad on March 31 in a mouthwatering title clash.