Ethan Nwaneri was on the scoresheet as he grabbed only his second goal for Marseille in their 2-1 defeat to Champions League-chasing rivals Lille
08:25, 23 Mar 2026
Ethan Nwaneri of Marseille during the Ligue 1 McDonald's football match between Paris FC (PFC) and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at Stade Jean Bouin
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Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri scored for Marseille on Sunday(Image: Getty)
Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri sent his parent club a message after bagging his second goal for Marseille in their 2-1 defeat to Lille. But French media weren't so complimentary about his overall performance.
Nwaneri, who left the Emirates in January in search of first-team football in France, was once again benched by manager Habib Beye on Sunday in what was a crucial clash in the race for a Champions League place.
Since the departure of Roberto De Zerbi, the 19-year-old has yet to start a match, but was thrust into the action against Lille earlier than expected after Mason Greenwood picked up an injury and departed in the 18th minute. He was found in the box and opened the scoring just before half-time, but Nwaneri's team couldn't hold on.
An 86th-minute winner scored by former Gunners striker Olivier Giroud sealed Marseille's fate, with Nwaneri off the pitch as manager Beye withdrew him in the 76th minute. Despite his first-half goal, the French media are still not convinced by the promising on-loan Arsenal ace.
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La Provence
Nwaneri did grab what was only his second goal for Marseille on Sunday, his last strike coming on his debut against Lens only a day after he arrived at the club. He also registered an assist off the bench in a crucial victory over Lyon at the beginning of the month.
Marseille's English forward #11 Ethan Nwaneri (C) shoots the ball during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Lille OSC at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille
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The teenager opened the scoring(Image: Getty)
But while local outlet La Provence noted the significance of his goal, it reported that for the rest of the clash, he did not contribute as much as expected.
A report reads: "He deserves credit for opening the scoring after coming on for Greenwood, but didn't have much influence on the rest of the game. Beye substituted him, bringing on Traore, who was virtually invisible."
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GFNF
Online publication GFNF concurred. Its report stated: "After a stop and start spell it was the hosts that ended up opening the scoring after some great work from Igor Paixao.
"He stood up a cross to meet Nwaneri's late run and the Englishman met it with a lovely cushioned finish on the volley to open the scoring just before the break."
Lille's French forward #09 Olivier Giroud (C) and his teammates celebrate after winning the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Lille OSC at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille
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Giroud netted a late winner(Image: Getty)
But when rating Nwaneri's performance, it claimed: "The Englishman came on after Greenwood's concussion injury and managed to find his second goal in OM colours this season.
"He gradually felt his way into the game and his late run was smart and the finish on the half volley was exceptional. He did however, regress in the second period, losing the ball on several occasions when OM were looking to break quickly."
Foot Mercato
Regarding Nwaneri's overall performance, Foot Mercato reached a similar conclusion to other publications, stating that as the game progressed, he became increasingly obsolete.
Its report reads: "Greenwood, brought down by the Lille player, ultimately had to leave the field and was replaced by Nwaneri in the 18th minute.
Lille's players react after Marseille scored during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Lille OSC at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille
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Media in France weren't so impressed with Nwaneri(Image: Getty)
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"He was a bit sloppy on his first touches, but he finally broke the deadlock by perfectly converting a cross from Paixao. Less prominent as the minutes ticked by, he was eventually called back to the bench."
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