Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri decision suddenly looks even smarter

We’re all hoping Ethan Nwaneri’s loan move at Borussia Dortmund goes to plan.

Marseille was a disaster last season, and Arsenal won’t want a repeat of that.

A Premier League switch looked on the cards for most of the summer, but it was ultimately decided that Dortmund would be a great switch for the 19-year-old.

Nwaneri was well up for it too — partly, he has since admitted, because of Jobe Bellingham, a player he knows well from playing together for England at youth level.

The younger Bellingham has broadly thrived at the Westfalenstadion, and Nwaneri may see in him a blueprint for what a young English player could achieve at the German club. Well, there’s no finer example of that than Jobe’s brother, Jude Bellingham.

Now, according to TEAMtalk, Jobe Bellingham is in serious contention to receive his first senior England call-up.

Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel and his coaching staff have been really impressed by the 20-year-old’s maturity and his development at Borussia Dortmund, putting him firmly on the radar to join his brother Jude in the national squad.

While that is massive news for the Bellingham family, it could come with significant implications for North London.

Jobe Bellingham England call-up bodes well for Ethan Nwaneri

If the reports of Jobe Bellingham being rewarded with a call-up are true, it’s clear Tuchel is keeping a close eye on his former club, Dortmund.

If Jobe’s performances have caught the eyes, then there’s no reason Nwaneri can’t follow suit if he impresses.

So far, he’s made two substitute appearances and made an impression in both — first forcing an own goal against Hoffenheim before a mature display in the Champions League against Villarreal.

Arsenal have inserted a recall clause in the loan deal, but the club hope that he returns next summer ready to seriously challenge for a first-team role. A senior England call-up before then would increase that likelihood.

Deliver for Dortmund, impress Tuchel, and come back to Arsenal a better and more experienced player.