French media reach verdict after Ethan Nwaneri dealt another Marseille setback

Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri started again for Marseille as they faced Paris FC on Saturday but he did not shine as brightly as he did on debut

Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri was handed a starting role as Marseille faced Paris FC on Saturday. But the 18-year-old did not impress as he did on debut and watched on from the bench as his team squandered a two-goal lead in the latter stages.

Nwaneri became the Gunners’ youngest-ever Premier League player when he made his debut in 2022 and Mikel Arteta evidently holds him in the highest regard. However, despite the fact he was given plenty of first-team minutes in the years to follow, sending him out on loan in January to play consistently was decided upon.

French side Marseille obliged and Nwaneri made his debut in a crunch tie against fellow Ligue 1 title hopefuls Lens. In this match he grabbed a goal and impressed for his new side, having been handed the No. 11 shirt.

He was ineligible when Marseille crashed out of the Champions League midweek but started once again in the must-win clash with Paris FC. French media were split on the 18-year-old, who was substituted after 67 minutes and saw his team pegged back in the fourth minute of added time to draw 2-2.

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L’Equipe

On the back of their Champions League disappointment, L’Equipe were harsh on Marseille’s players in the draw. A Mason Greenwood penalty in the 18th minute gave them a lead before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled their advantage in the second half.

But late goals from Jonathan Ikone and Ilan Kebbal split the points and the visitors lost further ground in their title bid. Paris FC sit in the bottom half of the table and Marseille’s players received an average rating of 4.5/10 for their performances.

During its live coverage, L’Equipe specifically noted: “[Nwaneri was] more discreet than during his recent debut.” After just 15 minutes they added: “Marseille remain enterprising.

“But they are also looking somewhat disorganised in their attacking intentions during this first quarter of an hour. Nwaneri is not making an impact.”

RMC Sport

Another outlet, RMC Sport, were also highly critical of Nwaneri’s side, writing: “After their European disappointment, Marseille thought they had bounced back, but collapsed at the very end of the match, conceding a draw in stoppage time against Paris FC.

“Despite a two-goal lead, OM squandered everything and missed the opportunity to move closer to the top of the table. The newly promoted Parisian side snatched a point that is worth its weight in gold in the fight against relegation.”

In terms of how they evaluated Nwaneri, during the game they singled out new signing Quinten Timber, who was praised for being much more influential in this match than the English youngster.

On Timber they added: “The Dutchman, one of OM’s two new signings, is mobile and always available for his team-mates. He is much more prominent than Nwaneri, who combines less effectively.”

Eurosport France

Yet not all agreed that Nwaneri was ineffective on his second start for Marseille. Eurosport France point out that after the 67th minute, when Nwaneri was taken off, things started to go downhill for Roberto De Zerbi’s side.

“Everything was going well for Marseille before the double substitution in the 67th minute,” they penned. “Lined up in a 3-4-3 formation, they were active from the kickoff, while not exactly dazzling.

“They capitalised on a handball to open the scoring from the penalty spot through Greenwood. The English striker was also involved in the second goal, following a high press from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Found on the right by the young Ethan Nwaneri, he set up Aubameyang.”