Arsenal's young talent Ethan Nwaneri experienced a challenging afternoon in Ligue 1 as his loan club Marseille surrendered a commanding lead to draw with Paris FC, sparking a divided response from the French press. The 18-year-old midfielder, who joined Marseille on loan in January to secure regular first-team football, was handed a starting role in Saturday's crucial fixture but found himself substituted after 67 minutes, watching helplessly as his team conceded two late goals.
Marseille's Stoppage-Time Stumble
The match began promisingly for Marseille, with Mason Greenwood converting an 18th-minute penalty to give them the lead. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang then doubled their advantage in the second half, seemingly putting the game beyond reach. However, in a dramatic twist, Jonathan Ikone and Ilan Kebbal struck late for Paris FC, with the equaliser arriving in the fourth minute of stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw. This result dealt a significant blow to Marseille's title aspirations, leaving them further adrift in the Ligue 1 race, while Paris FC, languishing in the lower half of the table, snatched a valuable point in their battle against relegation.
Mixed Reviews from French Media Outlets
French media coverage of Nwaneri's performance was notably split, reflecting the polarised opinions on his impact during the match. L'Equipe, in particular, was critical of Marseille's overall display, awarding the team an average rating of just 4.5 out of 10. Their live commentary highlighted Nwaneri's subdued presence, noting that he was "more discreet than during his recent debut" and failed to make a significant impact in the early stages, with Marseille appearing disorganised in attack.
RMC Sport echoed this sentiment, describing Marseille's collapse as a missed opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table. They pointed out that new signing Quinten Timber, a Dutch midfielder, was far more influential than Nwaneri, praising Timber's mobility and availability to teammates while suggesting that Nwaneri struggled to combine effectively with his colleagues.
A Contrasting Perspective from Eurosport
In contrast, Eurosport France offered a more nuanced view, arguing that Marseille's fortunes took a downturn only after Nwaneri was withdrawn. They observed that everything was proceeding smoothly for Roberto De Zerbi's side prior to the double substitution in the 67th minute, with the team active from the kickoff, albeit not dazzling in their execution. This perspective implies that Nwaneri's presence may have contributed positively to Marseille's structure before his exit.
Nwaneri's Journey from Arsenal to Marseille
Ethan Nwaneri made history as Arsenal's youngest-ever Premier League player when he debuted in 2022, earning high regard from manager Mikel Arteta. Despite receiving first-team opportunities in subsequent seasons, the decision was made to sanction a January loan move to Marseille to ensure consistent game time. His loan spell began impressively, with Nwaneri scoring on his debut against Lens, a fellow title contender, and donning the prestigious No. 11 jersey. However, he was ineligible for Marseille's midweek Champions League exit, adding to the pressure of his return against Paris FC.
This match underscores the challenges young loanees face in adapting to new leagues and the scrutiny that follows. As Nwaneri continues his development in France, his performances will be closely monitored by both Marseille and Arsenal, with hopes that he can build on his early promise and overcome this setback.
