Mikel Arteta Has Already Given David Moyes His Answer Over Ethan Nwaneri Loan Deal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has effectively ruled out a January loan move for teenage starlet Ethan Nwaneri amid interest from Everton boss David Moyes.[1][3] The highly rated 18-year-old has attracted attention from the Toffees, who are seeking attacking reinforcements following a dip in form and an FA Cup exit to Sunderland.[1][4]

Nwaneri, who signed a new contract with Arsenal last August, has seen limited senior minutes this season— just 165 in the Premier League and 19 since December—despite a breakout 2024/25 campaign with 9 goals in 37 appearances.[2][4] Arteta handed him a rare start in the FA Cup win over Portsmouth, praising his performance: “He deserved that... he had some very good minutes.”[1] However, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, and new signing Eberechi Eze ahead in the pecking order, opportunities remain scarce.[2][4]

Everton's interest is exploratory, focusing on a short-term loan to add technical quality without financial risk, especially after their pursuit of Arsenal's Ben White was rebuffed.[1][3][4][6] Transfer insider Alan Brazil Brown told Football Insider that Arteta is blocking Nwaneri's exit, just as with White: “Arteta does not want to lose any of his players while they are still competing on all fronts.”[3] Arsenal's packed schedule—top of the Premier League, FA Cup fourth round, Carabao Cup semis, and Champions League knockouts—demands squad depth, making any departure unlikely.[3]

Arteta reinforced this stance in a press conference, emphasizing every player's role: “Every player is very important... everybody has to be ready to play.”[2] Clubs like Fulham and Bournemouth have also been linked, but Arsenal retain full control and prioritize Nwaneri's development in-house.[4][5] For Moyes, the technically gifted midfielder—once compared to Lionel Messi by Joe Cole—would complement Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish, but Arteta's firm position appears to end the Toffees' hopes for now.[4]

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