Arsenal may find themselves facing a truly bizarre scenario later in the season, when Borussia Dortmund travel to London for a Champions League tie on November 24 and Hale End Academy boy Ethan Nwaneri is on the other side to take on his parent club.
UEFA rules allow Ethan Nwaneri to play for Borussia Dortmund against Arsenal in this season’s Champions League
In this regard, UEFA’s rules differ significantly from those of the Premier League. While domestic regulations generally prohibit loan players from facing the clubs they sign for, there are no such restrictions in European competitions, meaning Arsenal do not have the ability to insert clauses to protect themselves from such situations.
🚨 Ethan Nwaneri could feature for Borussia Dortmund against Arsenal in this season’s Champions League.
Unlike the Premier League, UEFA rules do not prevent loan players from facing their parent teams, meaning Navneri could face the Gunners when Dortmund visit… pic.twitter.com/Z1uau54NmF
— Arsenal Radar (@ArsenalRadar) September 2, 2026
It’s already been a fascinating loan spell for the teenager, which has created an interesting subplot for him.
Nwaneri’s move to Borussia Dortmund was seen as a smart move to continue his development with Arsenal’s side brimming with attacking options with regular football in a competitive league, but few would have anticipated so quickly that a loan move would see him face off against his own club on this stage.
There’s also something oddly appropriate about this, given that Nwaneri already enjoys a high reputation among the Emirates Stadium faithful.
For a player who came to prominence as one of the youngest starters in the club’s history, watching him potentially wear the colors of the opposition against the team that developed him will be uncomfortable regardless of how the game actually plays out.
Author’s opinion
For Arteta, there is little to do but prepare the team as usual and hope that Nwaneri’s involvement, if it happens, does not come back to haunt them. Coaches have faced the awkward reality of loaning players out in continental competitions before, and it’s rarely as dramatic in reality as it is on paper, but the possibility alone is enough to raise eyebrows.
As far as Dortmund is concerned, if he is fit and available, they will have no reservations about playing him. Why would they do that, considering the whole point of loaning him out was probably to bolster their strength rather than tiptoeing around emotion?
Gooners will just have to wait and see how this event unfolds, but regardless, November 24 will go down as one of the most unusual nights in Arsenal’s Champions League campaign.