Ethan Nwaneri looks totally different after returning for Arsenal pre-season, Kai Havertz will be proud

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Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri has been dominating a lot of the headlines this summer owing to his contract situation.

Fortunately for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, Ethan Nwaneri has now all but agreed to sign a new contract with his boyhood club.

Arteta stepped in to help contract talks with Nwaneri — he was keen to stress to the 18-year-old that there was a clear path to success at the Emirates. 

Fortunately, Arteta’s words worked and Nwaneri will now pen a new deal until 2030 with the Gunners.

In total last season, the Hale End graduate made 37 appearances for the first team, scoring nine goals and providing two assists.

And ahead of the new season, there’s plenty of reason to believe that there’s more to come.

Ethan Nwaneri returns for Arsenal pre-season looking a lot stronger

That being said, Nwaneri looks noticeably different in his first pictures since returning for pre-season in Singapore.

The Arsenal youngster hasn’t had too long off this summer after playing a key part in England U21s winning the Euros, but he has had an extended break.

And judging by the first glimpses of Nwaneri back with the Arsenal squad, he spent a fair bit of that time in the gym.

READ MORE: Ethan Nwaneri might have picked the wrong shirt number at Arsenal after what Mikel Arteta has now told him

Nwaneri appears to be one of several Arsenal players who have added muscle mass over the summer — both Kai Havertz and Ismeal Kabia also looked quite different upon their own returns.

Kabia looked like a new player almost, and perhaps his hard work is already paying off given that he’s with Arteta’s first team in Asia.

And when it comes to Nwaneri, it’s exciting for Arsenal fans to think that the 18-year-old could be even better next term — added strength is only going to help the forward. 

Ethan Nwaneri can compete with Martin Odegaard next season

As part of Nwaneri’s contract talks, TBR Football understands that the youngster was assured that he’ll get opportunities playing in a number 10 role.

The bulk of Nwaneri’s minutes for Arsenal thus far have come as a right winger — he was asked to deputise for the injured Bukayo Saka last season.

But Nwaneri’s long-term future is as a central attacking midfielder, the role currently occupied by Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.

However, it’s worth pointing out that Odegaard was criticised at times last season — even if that may have been slightly unfair.

But either way, Nwaneri has all of the ability to push Odegaard for his spot, even if Arteta might be reluctant to drop his captain.

But whether Nwaneri can displace Odegaard or not, he’s clearly going to be a huge asset for Arsenal again next season.

A superb young talent, and one who clearly has the mentality to succeed at the highest level.