Will the dismissal of Roberto De Zerbi have consequences for some of the Olympique de Marseille players? This Wednesday, we gave you an update on certain worrying cases such as Leonardo Balerdi or Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. However, another player must also wonder what will happen to him. This player is Ethan Nwaneri. This winter, Olympique de Marseille pulled off a nice media coup by loaning the Arsenal prodigy.
At 18, Nwaneri was lacking playing time at the Emirates and everyone agrees that if the Englishman snubbed several Premier League clubs to relaunch in Marseille, it is largely thanks to the presence of De Zerbi on the Canebière. This was not denied by the main person concerned. “Marseille is one of the best clubs in the world, with fantastic supporters. William Saliba told me it was one of the best clubs in the world. Roberto De Zerbi is one of the best coaches in the world”. For his part, Mikel Arteta had been clearer about the choice to send his player to the south of France.
“We felt that Marseille was the right context for him”
“I think the talented young players we have need playing time, and in this case Ethan didn’t get enough. However, the last thing we want is to slow down his development, because he is a very gifted player who lives and breathes football, it is his whole life. After discussing it with him, his father, his agent and the club, we decided the best solution was to leave and go on loan. With the experience we had in Marseille with Saliba, the fact that Roberto is there, that he is an incredible developer of young talents and a really courageous manager in the way he plays, in the way he plays with young talents as well, and that he has an impressive track record in that regard, we felt that Marseille was the right context for him. I think it fits the style of play and qualities we want to see in Ethan. So it will be a great experience for him.”.
On the pitch, De Zerbi had placed his trust in Nwaneri by starting him each time during his four appearances in the Marseille jersey (1 goal), even if his presence from the outset against PSG to the detriment of Igor Paixão may have surprised. With the departure of the Italian just three weeks after his arrival in France, Nwaneri can legitimately question his case. Just like Arsenal. This situation has in any case not gone unnoticed in England where the Mirror wonder if “Arteta may regret this loan from Arsenal”. Will RDZ’s replacement trust the young Englishman as much? There is no doubt that the Gunners will monitor this situation very closely.
Pub. the
– UPDATE
