Could Nwaneri’s lack of playing time prompt Arsenal to end Dortmund loan early?

Ethan Nwaneri has seen his playing time decrease in recent weeks, with the youngster increasingly limited to brief cameos. Unless his situation changes before the end of the year, Arsenal could look to recall him from his loan in January, with the club reportedly having the option to do so.

After joining Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan deal just before the summer transfer window closed, Ethan Nwaneri was initially handed decent playing time and started four consecutive Bundesliga games between Matchdays 3 and 6.

However, the 19-year-old’s playing time has decreased significantly as the season progressed, and he has played just 47 minutes across five short cameos in BVB’s last six games in all competitions.

The lack of playing time is hardly ideal for Dortmund or Nwaneri himself, but it is arguably an even bigger concern for Arsenal, who sent him out on loan specifically to find regular first-team football.

Nwaneri found himself in a similar situation during the second half of last season, when he was on loan at Olympique Marseille. He made just four starts in 11 appearances and was left on the bench for his final four Ligue 1 games

With the Gunners certainly keen to avoid a repeat of that scenario, they could potentially activate the recall clause reportedly included in their agreement with Dortmund, unless Nwaneri’s situation improves in the coming weeks.

German outlet Ruhr Nachrichten previously reported that, should Arsenal wish to exercise the clause, they must make their intentions clear “well before the start of the transfer window”. Exactly how far in advance they need to do so, however, is unclear.