Roberto De Zerbi’s brutal Ethan Nwaneri request confirms Arsenal have picked perfect loan

Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri joined Marseille on loan for the remainder of the season last week, and the England U21s talent marked his debut in France with a brilliantly-crafted goal vs Lens

Ethan Nwaneri took just 13 minutes to rock the Stade Velodrome. He collected Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s pass inside his own half and drove at Lens’ fearful backline before shifting inside ex-Chelsea defender Malang Sarr and curling accurately into the bottom corner of the net.

It tells you everything you need to know about Roberto De Zerbi’s faith and belief in Nwaneri that he was prepared to thrust the Arsenal teenager straight into his starting XI – ahead of 20-goal top-scorer Mason Greenwood – for a crunch and must-win Ligue 1 title clash just days after his arrival in the South of France. The 18-year-old Enfield-born starlet did not disappoint and also completed 100 per cent of his dribbles. Speaking after the victory, former Brighton boss De Zerbi claimed the England U21 international was “so strong” that he did not require much training, adding: “Nwaneri is a very high-level player, he will become a great player.”

Despite receiving a vast number of approaches from both home and abroad, Arsenal never felt it was essential for Nwaneri to head out on loan this month. In reality, they would have been happy to keep him.

However, once it became apparent that Marseille’s interest was both genuine and concrete, it was a destination and unique opportunity that made perfect sense for all parties.

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Local newspaper La Provence have actually reported that Mikel Arteta personally called De Zerbi – a fellow coach he holds in the highest regard – to instigate the very first discussions.

Not only is there huge mutual respect for one another but there are also clear parallels between the two tacticians and their footballing principles.

They are fiery and passionate obsessives who live and breathe their profession and for that reason, there is confidence De Zerbi is the ideal figure to aid Nwaneri’s development between now and the end of the season.

That is best typified by recent developments this week when it emerged on Tuesday that Nwaneri would be travelling with Marseille to Bruges for their final Champions League group phase match, even though he’s ineligible and therefore unable to feature.

There was said to be some confusion amongst OM supporters on social media platform X when the creative attacker and fellow new arrival Quinten Timber, brother of Arsenal full-back Jurrien, were spotted with the group as they departed for Belgium.

De Zerbi has since revealed that following the match against Club Brugge, Marseille will travel to Clairefontaine, home of the France national team, for a small training camp before this Saturday’s Ligue 1 trip to Paris FC.

The 46-year-old wants to minimise travel and is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for the title – particularly given La Classique is just around the corner on February 8.

Watching Marseille’s nail-biting Champions League group decider in Bruges – the French giants need a result or risk being eliminated – from the sidelines will not be easy for Nwaneri (he can be registered for the knockout stages).

But it’s the kind of experience that will keep the player both hungry and grounded, which is precisely what he needs in addition to minutes and playing time at this stage of his career.

OM are a prestigious footballing institution with rich history and the stakes are high for De Zerbi as the club’s demanding ultras are daring to dream of silverware for the first time in nearly 14 years.

If Nwaneri can somehow help Marseille achieve success over the course of the next four months, he will undoubtedly return to Arsenal with the wind in his sails as one of Europe’s hottest young prospects.