The Germany move will hopefully give Nwaneri the minutes Mikel Arteta said he needed while Arsenal retain control of the player.
Ethan Nwaneri is set to spend the season with Borussia Dortmund after the German club reached an agreement with Arsenal over a loan move.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Nwaneri agreed to the switch overnight and Dortmund will cover his salary in full for the duration of the season-long loan.
He wrote, “Borussia Dortmund reach verbal agreement to sign Ethan Nwaneri from Arsenal, here we go!
“Season long loan agreed from Arsenal as Nwaneri said yes to this possibility overnight.
“BVB sources confirm salary will be entirely covered by the Geeman [sic] club.”
David Ornstein then confirmed that the player was flying to Germany.
🚨 Ethan Nwaneri flying to do medical & join Borussia Dortmund from Arsenal. Dry season-long loan for 19yo #AFC attacker agreed verbally. #BVB moved after Konstantelias injury + deemed best step for England U21 int’l to gain regular minutes 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/755…
— David Ornstein (@david-ornstein.bsky.social) 1 September 2026 at 08:05
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The move gives Arsenal a route to secure regular first-team football for a player they still regard as part of their long-term plans.
Nwaneri is under contract in north London until 2030.
Dortmund have been looking for attacking reinforcements after summer signing Giannis Konstantelias suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and Nwaneri is expected to receive plenty of minutes in the Bundesliga.
The 19-year-old has not made a first-team appearance for Arsenal this season.
Mikel Arteta said in August that he wanted Nwaneri to remain at the club, but also acknowledged that he “needs to play football”, while adding that certain players might need to leave that summer.
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