Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gave the green light for Ethan Nwaneri to join Marseille on loan in the January transfer window, with former manager Roberto De Zerbi being a major driving force behind the move.
Mikel Arteta approves Ethan Nwaneri’s move to Marseille (Image: Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta may already be regretting sending Ethan Nwaneri to Marseille following Roberto De Zerbi’s shock departure. The Arsenal youngster joined the Ligue 1 side in January on a loan deal until the end of the season.
The intention behind this move was to give him more first-team football opportunities, having seen opportunities in North London dry up slightly this season. And Arsenal manager Arteta had been considering exactly where to send him for some time before finally settling on Marseille.
The Spaniard revealed that the chance to play in Italy’s high-press style of football under Roberto De Zerbi was the biggest attraction for him in choosing the French team. “I think the talented young players we have need playing time. In this case, Ethan didn’t get enough playing time. The last thing we want is to stunt his development, because he’s very talented and he’s a guy who lives and breathes football. It’s his life.”
“After discussions with him, his father, agent and the club, we have decided that the best option is for him to leave the team and go on loan.
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“With all the options out there, you have to understand that what we have experienced at Marseille and the fact that (Saliva) Roberto is there, he is a great nurturing of young talent and a really brave manager in the way he plays and the way he plays with young talent and he has a great track record of that.
“I think it’s a good fit for the way he plays with the qualities that we’re looking for in Ethan. So it’s going to be a great experience for him.”
Meanwhile, Nwaneri himself said he was relishing the chance to play under the former Brighton manager. “(Marseille) is one of the best clubs in the world with great fans. William Saliba told me it’s one of the best clubs in the world. Roberto de Zerbi is one of the best managers in the world,” he said.
Ethan Nwaneri is on loan at Marseille (Image: Getty Images)
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Unfortunately for Arteta and Nwaneri, their original plans fell through when De Zerbi was sacked following the 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the weekend. This means Nwaneri will play under a new manager for the rest of the season, and there is no guarantee they will implement the same system or approach as the Italian.
Marseille’s next match is against Strasbourg in Ligue 1, but there is no doubt that Nwaneri will be looking to make an impact on the French side, regardless of who is in the dugout.
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