Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri has been sent a brutal message by Marseille boss Habib Beye after Mason Greenwood's injury
Marseille duo Ethan Nwaneri and Mason Greenwood were both mentioned in Habib Beye's latest verdict
Marseille duo Ethan Nwaneri and Mason Greenwood were both mentioned in Habib Beye's latest verdict(Image: (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images))
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Ethan Nwaneri has received a stark warning from Marseille manager Habib Beye. The Arsenal loanee is yet to start since the latter replaced Roberto De Zerbi, having been restricted to six substitute appearances — a situation that looks set to persist despite Mason Greenwood's injury absence.
Marseille are due to take on Monaco in Ligue 1 tomorrow, with Beye quizzed during his pre-match press conference about Nwaneri and the decision he faces over who fills the Greenwood void.
The 48-year-old said: "He [Nwaneri] is a big talent who needs to adapt to the intensity of Ligue 1. He looks like the ideal replacement for Mason but we have several quality players to choose from. He must understand he's come to a very, very high-level club."
Such remarks from Beye indicate that a recall to the starting line-up is unlikely for Nwaneri, despite his goal from the bench when he came on for Greenwood prior to the international break.
Under De Zerbi, who has since joined Tottenham, Nwaneri thrived in one of the No.10 roles and featured from the off in every Marseille match he was fit for. Since Beye took charge, however, Nwaneri's playing time has become far more sporadic, and he was even substituted in the very game he had entered from the bench.
De Zerbi and the prospect of regular playing time were major factors behind Arteta's decision to loan him to Marseille, though that choice now looks to have misfired.
Arsenal's injury crisis sparked worries about Nwaneri's loan switch, but Arteta dismissed any suggestion he had second thoughts about the move.
He said: "After making the decision, who could have predicted that Mikel was going to be out for five months and Kai? It's unfortunate, in the end we have to make the decisions in the moment, understanding the context there.
"The best decision for the club, for Ethan, was for him to go and experience a different environment, have minutes played, and get ready to come back to us."
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri currently face uncertain futures at Arsenal
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Questions have since emerged over his and Myles Lewis-Skelly's long-term prospects in north London, with Manchester United showing interest in the latter after already snapping up Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi from the Gunners.
Max Dowman is Arsenal's other teenage sensation generating excitement, with the 15-year-old banging in goals across all youth levels this season. Yet Gabriel Jesus has disclosed that Nwaneri is actually the finest finisher at the club.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel, Jesus said: "Ethan, I tell you, he's a killer in front of the goal. He's a killer. Incredible!
"We play a D-zone game, like the coach has the ball and they play to one player on the edge of the box (and we shoot). And my guy, Ethan, is the best I have seen. Out of 10, nine goals. Even 10 sometimes. He's a killer!"
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