'Obviously he's not' - Mikel Arteta gives update as Arsenal player set to undergo medical ahead of exitplaceholder image
'Obviously he's not' - Mikel Arteta gives update as Arsenal player set to undergo medical ahead of exit | Getty Images
Arsenal forward Ethan Nwaneri is set to head to Marseille on loan for the remainder of the season
Arsenal forward Ethan Nwaneri is expected to undergo a medical with Marseille on Wednesday ahead of a proposed loan move to the Ligue 1 side.
The 18-year-old broke onto the scene last season as he made 37 appearances for the Gunners with nine goals and two assists to his name. However, his minutes have been more limited this campaign and he’s now poised to head to France, with an agreement in place.
Arsenal have secured their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League after a 3-1 win over Inter Milan on Tuesday night. After the game, manager Mikel Arteta was asked about the player’s future and if he’d be on the move to Marseille.
“We certainly have to assess the situation. Obviously, Ethan’s not playing the minutes that he probably deserves and needs at his age,” said Arteta.
“So, we're going to sit down this week, address the situation, get everybody's opinion and at the end we'll make the decision that we believe is the best one for the player, because we have a massive talent there and we really need to look after it.”
Nwaneri penned a new long-term deal with the club back in August after coming through the ranks at Hale End. He made history when he became the youngest plyer to feature for the men’s first team, as he did so aged 15 years and 181 days in 2022.
It is a record that still belongs to the winger, with fellow wonderkid Max Dowman making his first appearance aged 15 and 235 days this season.
Asked on what a loan move could do for Nwaneri, Arteta responded: “We'll see. Let's first of all make the decision, the best one, and then we can see what the impact will be.”
Arteta was delighted with his side’s win on Tuesday and pleased to see their impressive form in the Champions League continue as they made it seven wins from seven in the competition.
He added: “We're very proud, not only for tonight's game, but what we've done in the competition so far in seven matches. With one game to go, to be already in the position that we want to be is a massive prize to the team, because we know how difficult it is, and then tonight it was a test.
“Probably we didn't have the necessity in terms of the points, but we really had the hunger and the desire to come to a place like this, against a top, top side, and prove what we are and what we can do. I'm really pleased with what I've seen.”
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