Photo: Arsenal star Nwaneri shares picture of himself in gym in another club’s kit amid Chelsea rumours

Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri has been linked with Chelsea amid claims that he wants assurances of regular playing time from the Gunners before committing his future to the club.

The 18-year-old made 37 appearances across all competitions for the North London club last term, starting 16 times, and he weighed in with nine goals and two assists.

Nwaneri has a year remaining on his current contract and is not looking to sign a new long-term deal except he knows manager Mikel Arteta plans to play him more often, and he took to social media platform Instagram on Wednesday night to upload a picture of himself in the gym wearing the top of Sporting CP.

It could be just a coincidence as players often wear the kits of other clubs when not on duty with their clubs, but could the Hale End academy graduate be passing a message to the club or referencing their proposed move for Sporting hitman Viktor Gyokeres?

Nwaneri broke into the Arsenal first-team in 2022-23, becoming the youngest player to play in the Premier League when he made his debut against Brentford in September 2022 aged 15 years and 181 days.

It was his sole senior team appearance that season and he made just one appearance in 2023-24 before becoming a mainstay in the team last term.

Nwaneri signed scholarship terms with Arsenal after his schoolboy registration ran out in June 2023, putting pen to paper on a two-year scholarship deal before signing a professional contract upon his 17th birthday in March 2024.

However, it was not a long-term deal as Football Association rules prevent players under the age of 18 from signing contracts longer than three years.

While his friend and fellow academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly recently signed a new long-term contract with the North London club, becoming one of the best-paid young players in the world, Nwaneri is taking his time and Arsenal will be hoping he agrees to a new deal as suitors are monitoring him.

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