Ethan Nwaneri helped Marseille to victory over Lyon in a way which Arsenal will hope can revive his loan spell in France
14:02, 02 Mar 2026
Ethan Nwaneri celebrated an assist for Marseille as Arsenal loan hits new heights
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Ethan Nwaneri celebrated an assist for Marseille as Arsenal loan hits new heights(Image: FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Ethan Nwaneri has perhaps turned fortune in his favour after a difficult period on loan with Marseille. Having made the decision to leave Arsenal on a temporary basis, the 18-year-old made headlines in his first game.
He scored in Marseille’s big clash with RC Lens, scoring an excellent strike from outside the box. It sparked questions about Mikel Arteta's arguable regrets over letting the player leave amid injuries to Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz.
While the Arsenal boss didn’t fly with the question, he said that it would be impossible to predict the environmental elements around any move such as injuries. Or, of course, the potential for a change in manager.
Roberto De Zerbi was name-dropped by Arteta as one of the key reasons for sending Nwaneri to France. However, within weeks, he had stepped down following a tough period and elimination from the Champions League.
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Since then, Nwaneri has not started a single game. He was an unused substitute against Strasbourg and came on for the last 19 minutes in a 2-0 defeat to Stade Brestois.
However, his fortunes might now have changed after his pivotal contribution to Marseille’s first league win since the Arsenal loanee’s debut. With the scores tied at 2-2 at home to Lyon, Nwaneri made a run in behind the back line in the 91st minute, got his head up and spotted an old friend, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whom he found perfectly for the Gabonese forward to slide in and score a winner.
The victory took OM back to within just two points of OL, thanks to Nwaneri's work. The new head coach, former Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Doncaster Rovers defender Habib Beye, may be convinced, therefore, to give the youngster more opportunities.
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Next up is the French Cup quarter-final against Toulouse on Wednesday. Arsenal are in action at the same time in Brighton, but a watchful eye could be spared for occurrences in France as Nwaneri gets his loan spell back on track.
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