Mikel Arteta has said that Ethan Nwaneri has to be ‘thrown into the sharks’ amid his loan move to Marseille.
Nwaneri has moved to Southern France for the remainder of the season, as he wasn’t getting the game time that he needed at Arsenal this season. The Gunners saw Nwaneri break out last year, but his lack of opportunity this year could hinder his development.
Most Read on Gooner News
The 18-year-old has made just 11 appearances in all competitions this season, including just six in the Premier League, which is very limited compared to last year, when he made 26 Premier League appearances.
Nwaneri’s lack of game time is likely due to the addition of the likes of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, so he hopes to get a lot more minutes at Marseille under Roberto De Zerbi.
Arteta sends “fear” message to Nwaneri
Ahead of Arsenal’s game against Man United this weekend, manager Arteta spoke about Nwaneri’s move to France, and sent him a brutal message, suggesting he needs to be ‘thrown into the sharks’ to help his development.
Arteta said in his pre-match press conference: “When they talk about the opportunity and the clubs that are interested in you, the first thing is excitement. But one day you have to go ‘okay, pack your bags, this is the flight tickets and you have to go to Marseille.’ Whoa, whoa, whoa.
“And that is fear, is insecurity, is getting out of a place that has been really comfortable for him around his family but then this is the thing at the end. You have to be thrown there, into the sharks in an incredible football culture and atmosphere and club and it’s going to make him so good.”
Arteta hopes that a change of environment will force Nwaneri to mature and develop, so he can return as a top class winger for the Gunners next season.
Click here to see Arsenal’s latest transfer news.