German media rate Nwaneri after disallowed bicycle kick vs Bremen

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Ethan Nwaneri's pattern of not finishing games for Borussia Dortmund continued on Friday night, with the Arsenal loanee hauled off for a fifth straight start despite a moment that nearly produced a highlight-reel goal.

Nwaneri, who joined Dortmund on deadline day, came close to his first goal for the club in the 62nd minute of the 2-2 draw with Werder Bremen when he appeared to score with a bicycle kick. The goal was ruled out, however, after referee Christian Dingert judged that Waldemar Anton had committed an offensive foul on Niclas Fullkrug in the build-up, meaning VAR could not intervene.

The 19-year-old was substituted shortly after the hour mark, meaning he has yet to complete 90 minutes in any of his five appearances across competitions since arriving in Germany. His only direct goal involvement so far came with an assist on his debut against Hoffenheim, and he was denied twice on Friday by former Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein, who was in fine form between the posts for Bremen.

How German outlets rated him

Reaction from German media, as covered by football.london, was largely consistent in its view of the performance. BILD, Germany's biggest newspaper, gave Nwaneri a grade of five, the joint-lowest mark on the pitch for Dortmund alongside Marcel Sabitzer, though the outlet suggested the score might have been different had his effort stood. BILD described the disallowed goal as leaving Dortmund to briefly celebrate before the decision went against them, calling it a bitter evening for the club.

Spox were more measured, awarding Nwaneri a 3 out of 6 (with 1 the best possible grade) and noting he grew into the game after a quiet start, eventually becoming Dortmund's most dangerous attacking outlet. They highlighted a clever chipped pass that set up a big chance for Beier before his own shots either lacked accuracy or were saved by Hein.

Goal also pointed to his technical quality while acknowledging he struggled to influence the game against a deep-sitting Bremen side, handing him a 6 out of 10. Among Dortmund players, only Serhou Guirassy, Maximilian Beier and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel scored lower in their ratings.

Context at Dortmund

Nwaneri's underwhelming individual numbers have come against a backdrop of strong results for Dortmund, who remain unbeaten and top of the Bundesliga with 13 points from their opening matches, though Bayern Munich and Freiburg both have a game in hand. The winger will be looking to turn promising performances into end product as he continues to adapt to men's football in Germany on loan from Arsenal.