Roberto De Zerbi has confidently declared that Ethan Nwaneri is destined to become a 'top player' after the Arsenal loanee made an immediate impact with a goal on his debut for Marseille. The 18-year-old midfielder, who joined the French club on loan for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, found the net in a crucial Ligue 1 victory over Lens, showcasing his potential on the European stage.
Nwaneri's Swift Impact in Marseille
Nwaneri's move to Marseille came after he struggled to secure regular playing time under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal this season. Despite being a regular feature for the Gunners last term and holding the record as the youngest player in Premier League history since his 2022 debut, he had not started a league game in the current campaign. His loan switch has already paid dividends, as he scored a curled effort to double Marseille's lead in a 3-1 win at Stade Velodrome, just a day after completing his transfer.
De Zerbi's Praise and Team Performance
Following the deserved victory, which closed the gap to second-placed Lens to five points and kept Marseille within seven points of leaders PSG, De Zerbi expressed his satisfaction with the team's display. He emphasised the importance of consistency, stating, 'We defended well and deserved to win. If we manage to reproduce this level consistently, we will be a solid team. Otherwise, we won’t go anywhere.' On Nwaneri, he was effusive in his praise, adding, 'Ethan will become a top player, I’m sure about that. You can see the quality, the impact… he’s so good.'
Arsenal's Long-Term Plans for Nwaneri
Despite the loan move, Arsenal view Nwaneri as a future first-team regular, having secured him with a new contract until 2030 in the summer. However, his opportunities diminished in the first half of the season following Arsenal's signings of Noni Madueke from Chelsea and Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. Arteta explained the decision to loan him out, highlighting the need for minutes to nurture his talent. He said, 'After discussing it with him, his father, the agent, and the club, we decided the best thing to do was to leave and go on loan.'
Why Marseille Was Chosen
Arteta pointed to Marseille's track record with developing young talent, particularly under De Zerbi's management, as a key factor in the loan decision. He referenced the successful experience of William Saliba at the club, stating, 'The fact that Roberto is there and he’s an incredible developer of young talent… I think it fits the way of playing for the qualities that we want to see for Ethan. So it’s going to be a great experience for him.' This strategic move aims to accelerate Nwaneri's growth in a competitive environment.
Looking Ahead for Nwaneri and Marseille
Nwaneri's next challenge will be a Champions League clash against Club Brugge, as Marseille, currently 19th in the table, seek to advance to the knockout stages. His early success in France suggests a promising stint that could bolster both his career and Marseille's ambitions in domestic and European competitions.
