French media rip into Ethan Nwaneri as Arsenal loanee hauled off early yet again for Marseille

Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri could not help his Marseille side as they fell to a record-breaking 5-0 defeat at the hands of rivals PSG on Sunday

Ethan Nwaneri’s loan move from Arsenal to Marseille hit another snag on Sunday when his new side were thrashed 5-0 by rivals PSG. The 18-year-old was substituted at half-time after a sub-par opening 45 minutes.

For the prodigious Nwaneri to secure consistent playing time, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta waved goodbye to the teenager in January as he swapped north London for southern France. On his debut in Ligue 1, Nwaneri scored a goal and looked set to shine.

However, a setback against Paris FC and a cup win in which he was withdrawn at half-time after a questionable challenge followed. And Nwaneri’s spell with Marseille hit a new low on Sunday when they travelled to rivals PSG and were picked apart 5-0.

Nwaneri started on the right, but when the half-time whistle sounded, he was dragged off by head coach Roberto De Zerbi once again. Media in France have not been complimentary of his performance, with one claiming he deserved to be taken off after a dismal showing.

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La Provence

Local outlet La Provence was particularly scathing of what was only Nwaneri’s fourth appearance for Marseille. They claim that the 18-year-old has not looked at it since his debut and buckled under the pressure of this monumental clash.

La Provence wrote: “Since his debut, which culminated in a goal against Lens, the Englishman has been unable to replicate that performance. This match, experienced as a starter, seemed far too big for his 18 years. Replaced by [Igor] Paixao at the start of the second half, he tried to motivate his team-mates. But this was in a way that was too haphazard and disorganised.”

A damning verdict on Nwaneri and the futures of other players was also delivered. The publication added: “What is the point of blaming players who know nothing, or almost nothing, of what OM represents and who we can already bet will either have left or be on the transfer market next summer.”

RMC Sport

Nwaneri’s disappointing first 45 minutes against PSG were also criticised by RMC Sport. The broadcaster penned during live coverage: “Nwaneri isn’t technically precise enough and Marseille are chasing the ball.”

Upon Nwaneri’s withdrawal, RMC Sport damningly stated: “The Englishman struggled a lot in the first half. [Mason] Greenwood will now be able to return to his preferred position.”

The 18-year-old and his team-mates were further critiqued at full-time for surrendering ground in the hunt for Champions League places. The channel wrote: “It’s a terrible humiliation for OM. Marseille were completely outclassed.”

Eurosport France

Eurosport France did not direct much of its fault-finding at Nwaneri. Though it was written that the Englishman played “without success” before being substituted. The platform instead issued a devastating review of De Zerbi’s entire team, including Nwaneri, and theorised that the manager may soon depart. Eurosport claimed: “[It was a] total humiliation.

“His [De Zerbi’s] Marseille are a laughingstock. Disoriented, disorganised, completely lost, even though the summer investments had raised hopes for a successful season.

“In the long history of PSG-OM matches, the gap between the two teams has never been so wide. This evening could be a turning point, a game-changer, because it could seal De Zerbi’s fate. It’s hard to see how the Italian manager could emerge unscathed from this debacle.”

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