Nwaneri loan to Marseille praised by Mikel Arteta, who says the 18-year-old will benefit from more game time and a challenging football environment

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has backed Ethan Nwaneri’s loan move to Marseille, saying the switch will be “the making” of the 18-year-old forward.

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Nwaneri joined the French club until the end of the season after struggling for playing time at Arsenal, where he did not start a single Premier League match this campaign.

Last season, he scored nine goals in a breakthrough campaign, earning a new five-year contract at the Emirates.

“The talented young players that we have need minutes, and Ethan wasn’t getting enough minutes,” Arteta said. “There is the fear and the insecurity of getting out of a place that has been really comfortable for him.

At the end, you have to be thrown to the sharks in an incredible football atmosphere, and it’s going to make him so good.”

Arteta highlighted the successful loan of William Saliba at Marseille and the presence of coach Roberto De Zerbi as factors influencing Nwaneri’s move. “The last thing we want to do is cut his development because he’s such a talent.

He lives and breathes football. That’s his life,” he added. “Having all the options, and understanding the experience that we had in Marseille with William and the fact that Roberto is there, who is an incredible developer of young talent and the courageous way he plays, means it is going to be a great experience for Ethan.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal prepare for a key Premier League clash against Manchester United at the Emirates this Sunday. Arteta faces a welcome selection dilemma after Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres both scored in a 3-1 Champions League win at Inter Milan.

Kai Havertz has also returned from injury but is not yet ready to start.

“We were waiting for that,” Arteta said. “With the amount of games that are coming up, they’re all going to have opportunities and minutes, so it’s great to have them back and especially to have them in good form.”

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The Nwaneri loan to Marseille represents a strategic move by Arsenal to ensure the young forward gains vital match experience and continues his development in a competitive European environment.