He's worth more than Nwaneri: Arsenal must regret selling "phenomenal" star

Arsenal’s academy has produced countless talents who have gone on to star in the first team over recent years, allowing them to achieve various levels of success at the Emirates.

Bukayo Saka is undoubtedly the biggest example of such a star in the current first-team setup, making 250 appearances since his debut in 2018 and nailing down his starting place in Mikel Arteta’s side.

The England international has notched 67 goals and 64 assists, often being the go-to man in terms of contributions in the final third over the last few years.

Myles Lewis-Skelly is the latest player to make the jump from the Hale End academy setup, featuring 24 times for the Gunners this campaign, scoring his first professional goal in the 5-1 rout against Manchester City.

The aforementioned pair have also been joined by another youngster in recent weeks, taking full advantage of the opportunity handed to him after Saka’s injury layoff.

Ethan Nwaneri’s stats for Arsenal in 2024/25

17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri has been a player in and around the first-team picture over the last couple of years, making his senior debut in 2022/23 coming off the substitutes bench in the win over Brentford.

The substitute appearance made him the youngest player in Premier League history at the age of just 15, showcasing the faith that Arteta has in the teenager to be a huge star in North London.

With Saka still sidelined with his hamstring injury, Nwaneri has been given the chance to star in a right-wing position, something which he’s taken with both hands, as seen by his respective tallies.

Despite his tender age, the academy graduate has registered eight goals and one assist in his 28 outings, scoring in various competitions such as the Premier League and the Champions League.

However, despite his impressive form at the Emirates, he’s still valued lower than one player who also developed through the youth levels before moving on to pastures new.

The former Arsenal star now worth more than Nwaneri

Given the volume of talent coming through the youth levels at Arsenal, not every player will be able to make a huge impact on the first-team, subsequently having to ply their trade away from their boyhood side.

Attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe was a player who emerged out of the academy with high hopes in North London, potentially having a huge part to play in the club’s future.

The 24-year-old would receive his first opportunity to impress throughout the same season as Saka, featuring in six cup games and registering three goals – handing supporters a reason to be excited.

He would subsequently spend periods out on loan at RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town before returning to the club ahead of the 2020/21 season, hoping to make an impact and secure a consistent starting role.

Smith Rowe would make 115 appearances after his return, but the majority of which came from the substitutes’ bench, leading to a permanent move to Fulham in the summer just gone.

The midfielder’s move across London to Craven Cottage has allowed him to recapture his best form, notching five goals and two assists since his move – leading to one analyst dubbing him as “phenomenal”.

As a result of his performances under Marco Silva, he’s now valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, a figure higher than current star Nwaneri, who’s only valued at £25m despite his impressive rise to stardom.

Given his form and current market value, Arsenal must regret the decision to allow him to leave, showcasing to his former employers what they’re missing by allowing him to depart.

It’s great to see a former player star after the early promise he possessed, but many will be wishing that he was still plying his trade for the Gunners – offering them another dimension in their hunt for Premier League success.

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