Wilshere hopes Chelsea-linked midfielder Nwaneri stays at Arsenal

Arsenal U-18 coach, Jack Wilshere is hoping England U17 international of Nigerian descent, Ethan Nwaneri remains at Arsenal next season.

Chelsea are among the clubs monitoring the situation of the attacking midfielder with a view to a possible summer deal. .

Nwaneri has been the subject of transfer speculation because he has yet to agree a scholarship and a professional contract attached with Arsenal.

The midfielder has impressed for Arsenal U18s and Arsenal U21s this season.

He also had the opportunity to feature for the senior team once in the Premier League this season when he came on for Fabio Vieira in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Brentford last year, becoming the youngest debutant in Premier League history

Wilshere who is also a Hale End Academy product while speaking with Football. London about Nwaneri said: "I've been through that, and people don't see that - everyone would have seen that iceberg picture of the footballer where underneath you don't see it (how much is going on) and at the moment he's in that phase where he's struggling.

"But he's been exceptional and us as coaches, we don't get involved in and we don't talk about that and I think we have to make it clear as well as coaches we don't talk about that.

"That's nothing. Our job is to develop Ethan to help him when he goes with the first-team. We all hope he stays because he's an exceptional talent but at the moment it is to help him when he goes over there."

Nwaneri has featured in the U18 Premier League and the FA Youth Cup under Wilshere who was appointed as coach last year, scoring 4 goals in 12 appearances.

The Anglo-Nigerian youngster also has 8 appearances for Arsenal U21s, demonstrating how highly revered he is among the entire Arsenal coaching crew.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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