Roberto De Zerbi, who Mikel Arteta recently described as an 'incredible developer of young talent', faces an uncertain future after Olympique de Marseille were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League
13:00, 30 Jan 2026
Ethan Nwaneri #11 of Olympique de Marseille celebrates his first goal during the Ligue 1 McDonald's match between Olympique de Marseille and RC Lens
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Ethan Nwaneri won't be playing Champions League football again this season(Image: (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images))
Arsenal could quickly regret sending Ethan Nwaneri on loan to Olympique de Marseille. Roberto De Zerbi, who Mikel Arteta sounded out as the perfect guardian for the 18-year-old midfielder, suddenly faces an uncertain future at the Orange Vélodrome after the French giants were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League.
Marseille failed to qualify for the knockout phase play-offs following a humiliating defeat to Club Brugge, finishing 25th on just nine points. The Ligue 1 outfit looked set to sneak into the next round of the competition by the skin of their teeth, but results elsewhere meant they missed out.
Benfica leapfrogged the Ligue 1 outfit on goal difference in the dying embers of stoppage time of their dramatic win over Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho sent Anatoliy Trubin up for a late free-kick, and the goalkeeper scored, heading the ball past Thibaut Courtois.
Shortly after the game, the Marseille director slammed the players and insisted some should face 'consequences for the rest of the season'. During the X-rated rant, Medhi Benatia apologised to the fans and promised changes.
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As quoted by The Daily Mail, the former Juventus and Bayern Munich defender said: "I want this to have consequences for the rest of the season. I hope it will have consequences, that they will ask themselves the right questions.
"I'm not putting everyone in the same boat; some gave their all and fought hard. A s****y night, even a shameful one. When you're at a club like this, you can lose matches. You can't lose like tonight. We're dealing with a recurring problem.
"In the league, we've sometimes explained it as a lack of motivation against seemingly weaker teams. We've seen that when we're not at 100 per cent, we often get knocked out. Football has to be respected, and tonight we have to apologise to the fans, to the people who make sacrifices for this club.
Ethan Nwaneri #11 of Olympique de Marseille celebrates his first goal during the Ligue 1 McDonald's match between Olympique de Marseille and RC Lens
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Ethan Nwaneri won't be playing Champions League football again this season(Image: (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images))
"I hope the players realise that tonight was a professional mistake. I've lost matches in my career, but I've rarely felt this sense of shame, being capable of conceding six goals in two games."
French publication RMC Sport later reported that Marseille's higher-ups are considering terminating De Zerbi's contract ahead of this weekend's clash against Paris FC. The former Brighton boss signed a three-year contract at the French giants when he took the reins in 2024.
Arsenal could quickly regret sending Nwaneri on loan to Marseille if De Zerbi gets sacked. football.london understands that the Gunners were initially reluctant to offload the teenager until the French giants entered the race for his signature.
Marseille's English midfielder #11 Ethan Nwaneri (C) 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
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Ethan Nwaneri has hit the ground running in France(Image: Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP via Getty Images)
Nwaneri had attracted interest from Crystal Palace, Fulham, Bournemouth, West Ham, who had a loan proposal politely rejected earlier this month, and Borussia Dortmund. However, De Zerbi and Arteta, who spoke directly about the teenager, believe they share many similar footballing principles.
With a few English players in the Marseille squad as well, the Gunners concluded that Marseille could aid Nwaneri's development. The Italian being in the dugout was a huge incentive for both the club and the player.
Upon arriving in Marseille to put pen to paper on a temporary deal, the Arsenal wonderkid said: "It is one of the best clubs in the world, with great fans.
Marseille's Ethan Nwaneri takes the ball
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Ethan Nwaneri has impressed already at Marseille on loan from Arsenal (Image: AP)
"William Saliba told me that it is one of the best clubs in the world. Roberto De Zerbi is one of the best managers in the world. He’s demanding. I’m ready to play under him and listen to what he wants for the team."
Meanwhile, Arteta referenced Saliba's development at Marseille a few years prior. The Spaniard said: "Having all the options and understanding the experience that we had in Marseille with William [Saliba], and the fact that Roberto [De Zerbi] is there, who is an incredible developer of young talent and the courageous way he plays, means it is going to be a great experience for Ethan."
Nwaneri hit the ground running under De Zerbi, too, marking his debut with a goal. After only a few days under the Italian's wing, he fired Marseille to a 3-1 win over Racing Club de Lens, securing three huge points in the race for the top four.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Ethan Nwaneri during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 23, 2025 in London Colney, England
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Mikel Arteta and Ethan Nwaneri in Arsenal training(Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Speaking to reporters after the game, De Zerbi proved exactly why he was the perfect guardian for Nwaneri. He said: "Ethan will become a top player, I’m sure about that. You can see the quality, the impact… he’s so good."
Arsenal's meticulous plan to help the Hale End graduate, who's been likened to Lionel Messi in the past, could quickly fall on its face if De Zerbi parts ways with Marseille...
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