Ethan Nwaneri reveals Arsenal team-mate talked up Marseille loan move | Football

Ethan Nwaneri has posed in Marseille’s colors for the primary time after agreeing to affix the club on loan from Arsenal for the rest of the season.

The attacking midfielder is widely regarded to be amongst probably the most exciting young talents in English football having broken into Arsenal’s first-team squad on the age of just 15.

But Nwaneri, now aged 18, has struggled to nail down regular minutes for the high-flying Gunners this season, failing to make a single league start under Mikel Arteta in the primary half of the campaign.

Arsenal had initially been reluctant to think about loan offers from throughout the Premier League for Nwaneri, with West Ham and Bournemouth each credited with a powerful interest.

Nonetheless, the north London outfit modified their stance when Marseille entered the running for the teenager and discussions have progressed at a pace over the past 48 hours.

Nwaneri and his entourage travelled to France for a medical earlier today and the ending touches regarding a brief agreement have now been accomplished, with official announcement of the move imminent.

‘William Saliba told me that Marseille are top-of-the-line clubs on this planet,’ Nwaneri revealed as he proudly held aloft an official club scarf in Marseille this evening.

It’s clear Nwaneri is raring to go at Marseille and looking out forward to playing under Roberto De Zerbi, whose side currently sit third within the Ligue 1 table.

‘Roberto De Zerbi can also be top-of-the-line coaches on this planet,’ he said of the previous Brighton head coach.

Feyenoord defender Quinton Timber, the brother of Arsenal full-back Jurrien, can also be expected be presented to Marseille fans over the approaching hours.

Nwaneri’s arrival at Marseille is prone to speed up the departure of England international Angel Gomes, who has been told to seek out a brand new club this January.

Marseille have also been exploring a possible move for Angers star Himad Abdelli in recent weeks, with De Zerbi keen to strengthen his midfield options before the transfer deadline.

‘Regarding the transfer market, I don’t think it’s the best time to discuss it,’ De Zerbi said when quizzed on potential incomings and outgoings ahead of Marseille’s Champions League clash with Liverpool.

Asked specifically about Nwaneri, the Italian replied: ‘I do know him, he’s a great player.

‘But you should have to ask [Marseille president] Pablo Longoria.’

Nwaneri has received plenty of recommendation over his future in recent days, with fans and former players divided on whether or not the teenager ought to be leaving his boyhood club halfway through the season.

David Seaman and Emmanuel Eboue have been amongst those encouraging Nwaneri to remain put and be patient for taking part in time within the second half of the season.

Nonetheless, ex-Arsenal defender Lauren holds an altogether different view, telling Metro on behalf of GeckoPlay Casino: ‘Initially, kids need to play to in a position to develop and improve his qualities.

‘We learn about his qualities. A young player must play if he’s to develop. At this moment of time, it’s very difficult for him to pop up into the team because there a top player now.

There are more good players within the last third so for him it’s harder, and it’s the identical with Dowman. 

‘It’s not a nasty idea to go on loan after which to play the games that you could develop. Possibly he might come back. It’s not the top of the world.

‘I imagine it might be a great option for a teenager to maneuver along after which come back in a while.’

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