Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice has publicly praised teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri following his spectacular debut for French club Marseille. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, currently on loan from the Premier League title-chasing Gunners, made an immediate impact in Ligue 1 with a stunning goal after just thirteen minutes.
Instant Impact in France
With competition for places intense at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, the decision was made to sanction Nwaneri's mid-season loan move to Marseille. The presence of manager Roberto De Zerbi, formerly of Brighton, was reportedly crucial to Arteta's approval of the temporary transfer.
Nwaneri wasted no time in justifying the faith shown in him, opening his Marseille account with a trademark left-footed strike from distance that found the back of the net early in the match. His performance drew immediate praise from his new manager, who expressed strong confidence in the young Englishman's potential.
Managerial Endorsement and Teammate Support
Roberto De Zerbi was effusive in his assessment of Nwaneri's debut display, telling reporters: 'Ethan will become a top player, I'm sure about that. You can see the quality, the impact... he's so good, same for [fellow January signing] Quinten Timber.'
The teenager's impressive bow also attracted attention from his Arsenal colleagues, with Declan Rice leading the tributes. The experienced midfielder commented 'special bro' on Nwaneri's Instagram post celebrating his Ligue 1 debut, highlighting the strong camaraderie within the Arsenal squad despite the player's temporary departure.
Historical Context and Career Trajectory
Nwaneri's rapid development continues a remarkable career trajectory that began when he became the youngest player in Premier League history at just 15 years and 181 days during his Arsenal debut in September 2022. Last season, he demonstrated his growing influence by scoring nine goals in thirty-seven appearances across all competitions for the North London club.
His debut goal for Marseille contributed to a 2-0 lead at the vibrant Stade Velodrome, following Amine Gouiri's third-minute opener. The French side extended their advantage in the seventy-fifth minute through Gouiri's second goal, assisted by United States winger Tim Weah, taking their league-high goal tally to forty-four in just nineteen matches.
Significant Victory and League Implications
Marseille's victory carried substantial significance in the Ligue 1 title race, ending Lens' impressive ten-game winning streak across all competitions and preventing the northern side from reclaiming top spot from Paris Saint-Germain. The result propelled third-placed Marseille to within five points of Lens and seven behind leaders PSG ahead of their crucial clash at Parc des Princes on February 8th.
Although Rayan Fofana managed a late consolation goal for Lens, former Marseille favourite Florian Thauvin proved ineffective against his old club, where he previously scored eighty-six goals across two separate spells.
Nwaneri's successful transition to French football represents another positive chapter in his development, with both his current and former clubs monitoring his progress closely as he continues to build experience at the highest level of European competition.
