Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri joined Marseille on a loan until the end of the season and impressed on his debut, while the winger is set to return to north London come the summer
Matty Hewitt Football Writer
15:40, 26 Jan 2026Updated 15:40, 26 Jan 2026
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Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri impressed for Marseille on his debut for the French club.(Image: )
Marseille president Pablo Longoria has made it clear it would be unrealistic for the Ligue 1 club to have agreed an option to buy Ethan Nwaneri as part of their negotiations to sign the Arsenal youngster this month.
The 18-year-old has struggled for regular minutes with the Gunners this season and joined Roberto De Zerbi's side last week on loan until the end of the campaign.
The England youth international scored just 13 minutes into his Marseille debut, scoring the second in a 3-1 win over RC Lens at the weekend.
Nwaneri remains a key part of Arsenal's plans going forward, despite struggling for minutes this season, with Longoria admitting De Zerbi played a key role in landing the Gunners star.
Speaking to The Telegraph, the Marseille president said: "Our coach Roberto De Zerbi is a good incentive. He’s recognised as one of the most creative coaches in Europe and that kind of thing for the players is important.
"And from Ethan, we expect joy. Shared joy. Because with a young diamond, a super talent like this, the most important thing is that he will be free mentally. So, this is joy. To create the right environment for him to perform and enjoy football."
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When asked whether the French side have an option to buy the Arsenal youngster, he said: "Let’s say a very clear thing – an option to buy is unrealistic.
"He’s one of the main assets for the future of Arsenal. The value for us is his talent and his sporting performances.
"For Arsenal it’s contributing to the gameplay, and for the player a step in growing up and being coached by Roberto."
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Marseille's English midfielder #11 Ethan Nwaneri celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and RC Lens at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, southern France, on January 24, 2026. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP via Getty Images)(Image: )
Nwaneri had made just 12 appearances for the Gunners this season, scoring three times across 515 minutes in all competitions.
When asked about Nwaneri's loan move to France, Arteta said: "The talented young players that we have need minutes and Ethan wasn't getting enough minutes.
"The last thing we want to do is cut his development because he's such a talent. He lives and breathes football - that's his life.
"The first thing is excitement because you speak to the manager, he's very keen on you, and you're going to start a lot of games, and that's all very good.
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"But then you have to go: 'Okay, pack your bags, here are the flight tickets to Marseille.' And then there is the fear and the insecurity of getting out of a place that has been really comfortable for him [Nwaneri].
"At the end you have to be thrown to the sharks in an incredible football atmosphere, and it's going to make him so good."