Arsenal rising star Ethan Nwaneri’s loan spell at Marseille has not gone as expected. The 19-year-old midfielder has played just 290 minutes of league football since joining the French side in January, and an explanation for his limited involvement has now emerged.
Nwaneri left Arsenal on loan during the winter transfer window in search of regular senior football, with his arrival at Marseille reportedly strongly supported by then-manager Roberto De Zerbi.
However, three months on, De Zerbi is now trying to save Tottenham Hotspur from Premier League relegation, while the 19-year-old wonderkid finds himself on the fringes of the squad at the Stade Velodrome.
Why Ethan Nwaneri Isn’t Starting for Marseille
nwaneri
Nwaneri could not have imagined a better start to his loan spell in France. The England U21 international scored on his debut in a 3–1 victory over Lens in January and made three consecutive starts in the league.
However, those three matches remain his only starts in Ligue 1 for Marseille to date.
Following Roberto De Zerbi’s departure in February by mutual agreement, Nwaneri has struggled to impress new manager Habib Beye, as well as those above him at the club.
According to French publication L’Equipe, Marseille have been left underwhelmed by Nwaneri’s attitude since his arrival, with those at the club reportedly forming a “persistent impression of nonchalance” regarding his performances.
As a result, the 19-year-old has slipped down the pecking order, despite Arsenal agreeing to loan terms that were intended to work in the midfielder’s favour.
The loan fee agreement between the two clubs is believed to be inversely linked to Nwaneri’s involvement, meaning the more he plays, the less Marseille have to pay the north London side.
However, it appears the Ligue 1 side are prepared to spend a larger sum than initially anticipated, with Nwaneri having managed just 381 minutes of football in 13 appearances across all competitions to date.
Arsenal to Sell Ethan Nwaneri?
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Nwaneri’s limited involvement at Marseille could eventually damage his chances of regaining Mikel Arteta’s trust at Arsenal.
According to a report from BBC Sport, Arsenal are expected to listen to offers for the 19-year-old midfielder after the season, along with fellow academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The Gunners will reportedly be looking to generate pure profit from their homegrown talents and reinvest the money in new signings.
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