Mikel Arteta has firmly defended the decision to loan Ethan Nwaneri to Marseille, even as Arsenal grapple with a mounting injury crisis and the unexpected sacking of manager Roberto De Zerbi at the French club. The young midfielder secured a temporary move to Ligue 1 in the final days of the January transfer window, aiming to gain valuable first-team experience under De Zerbi's guidance.
Arsenal's Injury Woes and Managerial Turmoil
Nwaneri's loan spell has been complicated by two significant setbacks. Firstly, Arsenal have been hit hard by injuries, with key players Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz sidelined, creating a potential need for the teenager's services. Secondly, De Zerbi, a major factor in Nwaneri's move, was dismissed by Marseille this week, throwing the player's immediate future into uncertainty.
Despite these challenges, Arteta remains steadfast in his belief that the loan was the right call. "After making the decision, who could have predicted that Mikel was going to be out for five months and Kai?" the Arsenal manager stated. "It's unfortunate, but we have to make decisions in the moment, understanding the context. The best decision for the club and for Ethan was for him to go, experience a different environment, play minutes, and get ready to come back to us."
Arteta on De Zerbi's Departure and Player Development
When questioned about the impact of De Zerbi's exit, Arteta emphasized the unpredictable nature of football loans. "I cannot control that; it's part of playing on loan and part of a footballer's journey," he explained. "You'll work with different coaches, and that can happen anytime. You cannot avoid it. For sure, Roberto was one reason for the move, but Marseille as a club and environment also offers positives for Ethan."
Nwaneri made an impressive start at Marseille, scoring on his debut, and will now focus on helping the team in their push for a Champions League spot, starting with a home match against Strasbourg this weekend. Meanwhile, Arsenal take a break from Premier League action to face Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round.
Since his breakthrough in the 2023/24 season, Nwaneri has made 51 senior appearances for Arsenal, netting ten goals, showcasing his potential as a rising star in North London.
