Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri is closing in on a loan move to Marseille, with an agreement reached for the remainder of the season.
The switch marks a change of direction after earlier expectations that he would remain in north London. Initially, both club and player believed staying with a title-chasing squad would best serve his development. However, the attraction of regular football in a new league has shifted the balance.
The 18-year-old England Under-21 international has featured sparingly this season, making 12 appearances across competitions. Notably, he has yet to start a Premier League game, scoring only once in the Carabao Cup.
Nwaneri committed his long-term future to Arsenal last summer by signing a contract running until 2030. Still, his pathway narrowed following the arrivals of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze.
Both signings, costing a combined £115.5m, were designed to accelerate Arsenal’s pursuit of silverware. As a result, competition for attacking roles has intensified sharply.
Last season, Nwaneri enjoyed regular action, mostly from the right wing, scoring nine goals in 37 matches. That campaign raised expectations and reinforced his reputation as an elite young talent.
Yet, with Madueke covering Bukayo Saka and Eze competing with Martin Odegaard centrally, opportunities dwindled. Even Eze has struggled recently, featuring just 23 minutes across Arsenal’s last six league matches.
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Arsenal’s win-now strategy leaves little room for youth patience
Arsenal’s momentum this season has been relentless, and that has been evident in their seven-point Premier League lead and a perfect Champions League record. They also hold an advantage over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Mikel Arteta has leaned heavily on experience, preferring Martin Zubimendi and Odegaard in midfield. Elsewhere, Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie have been trusted at left-back.
Hincapie’s title-winning pedigree from Bayer Leverkusen has influenced selection decisions as that approach has also affected fellow academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Lewis-Skelly impressed during last season’s injury crisis, making 42 appearances, including Champions League wins over Real Madrid. His form even earned him an England debut, capped by a goal against Albania.
This season, his minutes have been steadier than Nwaneri’s, though still limited domestically. He has started once in the Premier League and dropped out of the England squad.
Breaking through at a club chasing trophies is rarely straightforward for young players. Therefore, Nwaneri’s Marseille move appears a calculated step as growth is being prioritised over patience.
Tags: Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal, #AFC, #COYG, Marseille.
