Another Arsenal prospect chooses City
Mishel Nduka, a 16-year-old attacker, has become the latest young player to leave Arsenal’s academy for Manchester City. The move follows a familiar pattern: City beat the Gunners to Leicester City gem Jeremy Monga earlier this year, and now Nduka has done the same.
It is a curious trend given Arsenal’s recent success.
The North London club won the Premier League last season and reached the Champions League final. Their academy has produced talents such as Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman. Yet promising youngsters keep heading elsewhere.
Nduka’s deal is notable for its scale. According to the Daily Mail, the 16-year-old is already earning £20,000-a-week, totalling around £1million-a-year at the Etihad. That is serious money for a player who has not yet played senior football.
City’s recruitment of teenage talent shows no sign of slowing. Alongside Nduka and Monga, the Blues have also watched Kyran Thompson turn down a contract at Arsenal, instead joining Newcastle United. Thompson’s decision was another blow to Arsenal’s academy retention.
Monga, 17, broke out in the Championship last term and is seen as a significant prospect. Nduka’s arrival adds further depth to City’s youth ranks.
Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri left Arsenal for Marseille on loan. That departure, combined with the exits of Nduka and Thompson, suggests Arsenal’s academy pipeline is leaking talent despite the first team’s success.
For City, the message is clear: they are willing to pay top dollar for the best young players, even before they turn professional. Whether Nduka develops into a first-team regular remains to be seen, but the financial commitment is already substantial.