Arsenal have rebounded from their Premier League loss to Manchester United, putting themselves in a strong position to win trophies this season. Mikel Arteta’s side secured a flawless league phase in the Champions League with a victory over Kairat, followed by a Premier League win against Leeds and a 4-2 aggregate success over Chelsea to reach the Carabao Cup final. These victories were achieved without Mikel Merino, who is set for a spell on the sidelines due to a broken foot. Despite this, Arsenal refrained from making any big-money signings in January.
Only two fresh faces arrived on deadline day, both of whom are teenagers. Young defender Jaden Dixon was signed from Stoke City, while forward Evan Mooney has journeyed south after aiding St Mirren in their Scottish League Cup triumph. Two youngsters who won’t be donning the Arsenal jersey in the second half of the season are Ethan Nwaneri – who will continue his loan spell at Marseille despite whispers of a recall following Merino’s injury – and James Wilson, who opted for Tottenham over Arsenal when leaving Hearts. Express Sport brings you the latest Arsenal news…
Nwaneri enjoyed an impressive debut for Marseille with a goal against Lens, but his midweek appearance grabbed attention for entirely different reasons when he was brought off at half-time. The 18-year-old was given his first home start against Rennes in the Coupe de France but was deemed fortunate to avoid a red card for a challenge midway through the opening period.
Nwaneri received a yellow card for a foul on Rennes’ Glen Kamara, who required treatment and was ultimately withdrawn before the interval. However, visiting manager Habib Beye claimed the match officials admitted to him they had got it wrong not dismissing the teenager.
“The match was altered by our early mistake and by that of the refereeing trio who had the honesty to admit it,” Beye said. With no VAR system in operation at the fixture, the referee’s on-pitch decision of a caution had to remain.
Nwaneri was taken off at half-time as manager Roberto De Zerbi opted not to gamble on him collecting a second booking. Marseille triumphed 3-0, with Amine Gouiri, Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finding the net to propel De Zerbi’s side into the last eight.
Wilson told he made wrong move
Hearts boss Derek McInnes reckons James Wilson ought to have remained at Tynecastle instead of making a deadline day switch down south. Wilson had been linked with Arsenal but instead joined North London rivals Tottenham on loan until the campaign’s conclusion.
Wilson, 18, netted his first goals in the Scottish Premiership last season and made his senior international debut in March 2025. However, the young player has seen less action this season, and McInnes confessed he found it challenging to persuade him to stay with the league leaders.
“His head was turned with the Tottenham thing,” McInnes revealed. “First of all it was Arsenal, then Arsenal went quiet and then all of a sudden Tottenham came to the table on [Monday] afternoon.
“I don’t think it’s the right move for him. Ultimately, it’s academy football and I think he’s better than that. But it was something James wanted to do.
“So like I say, we made it clear that our preference was for him to stay and be part of something here. But he made the decision and I hope it goes well for him because he’s a great kid and we’ll see how it plays out.”