Arsenal’s Nwaneri agrees Dortmund loan move on deadline day

Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri has agreed to join Borussia Dortmund on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 19-year-old is set to travel to Germany for a medical after Arsenal and Dortmund reached an agreement over a temporary move without an option to buy.

Dortmund will reportedly cover Nwaneri’s salary for the duration of his stay, with the Bundesliga club keen to provide him with regular first-team football.

Nwaneri set for Bundesliga experience

Arsenal were prepared to sanction the loan as the transfer deadline approached, with the club believing the move could benefit the England youth international’s development.

Dortmund had been monitoring Nwaneri for some time and intensified their interest after midfielder Giannis Konstantelias suffered a long-term knee injury.

Nwaneri has already made 51 senior appearances for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, scoring 10 goals, but opportunities have become more difficult to secure with significant competition for places at the Emirates Stadium.

The youngster was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s opening league victory over Coventry before being omitted from the squad for the 1-0 win against Aston Villa.

Young Arsenal star seeks regular minutes

Nwaneri previously spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille, where he featured nine times and scored twice across 322 minutes.

His move to Dortmund will give him another opportunity to gain experience away from Arsenal and compete regularly at senior level.

The midfielder made history in September 2022 when he became the youngest player to appear in a Premier League match, making his debut for Arsenal against Brentford at the age of 15 years, five months and 28 days.

Arsenal remain keen to retain control of his long-term future, reflected by the absence of a purchase option in the Dortmund agreement.