Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri faces an uncertain end to the season after Mikel Arteta's decision to send the youngster to Marseille took a twist
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with Ethan Nwaneri during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre
Ethan Nwaneri's Marseille loan has been altered in the wake of Roberto De Zebri's exit, with Mikel Arteta's man facing an uncertain future(Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri has an unpredictable end to the season on his hands following Roberto De Zerbi's exit from Marseille. The French club confirmed during the early hours of Wednesday morning that the Italian had departed by mutual agreement.
It represents a setback for Nwaneri, considering De Zerbi was understood to be a significant factor in Arsenal selecting Marseille as the teenager's temporary home. Fabrizio Romano even disclosed in January that Mikel Arteta had conducted private talks with De Zerbi before settling on Marseille as Nwaneri's "ideal solution."
A 5-0 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, during which Nwaneri was withdrawn at the interval, proved the decisive blow. Marseille failed to progress in the Champions League after a 3-0 defeat to Club Brugge, while a recent 2-2 stalemate at Paris FC also proved underwhelming.
"Olympique de Marseille and Roberto De Zerbi, first-team coach, announce the end of their collaboration by mutual agreement," read a club announcement. "Following discussions involving all stakeholders in the club's management – owner, president, director of football, and coach – it was decided to opt for a change at the helm of the first team.
"This was a collective, difficult decision, made after careful consideration in the best interests of the club to meet the sporting challenges of the end of the season."
The choice to depart Marseille may have arrived as a surprise, but the signs were there for De Zerbi. A source close to the club had informed L'Equipe this week: "It's going to blow up, everything's starting to fall apart."
The same report indicated that "even his own players had begun to turn against him." Despite an evident display of backing from certain senior stars amid the recent slide in results, L'Equipe characterised De Zerbi's circumstances as "untenable" as he headed for the door.
Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi before Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta is understood to have personally signed off on Nwaneri's Marseille loan after holding talks with De Zerbi(Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
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La Provence emphasised how Tuesday's afternoon training session gave "a strange atmosphere" and that it "smelled like the end of an era." That arguably applies double for Nwaneri, who could find himself in an awkward situation between now and the conclusion of the campaign.
Given he's a loan acquisition with no permanent option included in his contract, De Zerbi's replacement may not share the Italian's belief in him. And with no assurance he'll deliver the club returns in the long term, the 18-year-old risks forfeiting his place in the starting XI.
In terms of who will assume control at the Stade Velodrome, RMC Sport reported Marseille will favour "a coach who understands this environment and Ligue 1." This is likely to be on a temporary contract until the season concludes.
Marseille's Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi gives instructions to his players during the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 8, football match between Club Brugge KV and Olympique de Marseille
De Zerbi's dismissal has created doubt over Nwaneri's future in southern France(Image: NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP via Getty Images)
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That scenario could, in fact, prove advantageous for Nwaneri. A short-term appointment would conceivably prioritise immediate results over long-term objectives, providing a loanee like him with a better opportunity for exposure between now and June.
Nwaneri found the net on his Ligue 1 debut against Lens but has not managed another direct goal contribution in three subsequent appearances. The De Zerbi connection seemed to benefit the Gunners' gem, and his departure creates the potential for an uncertain few months ahead.
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