Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri Dazzles at Marseille, But Red Flags Emerge Despite Dream Debut
"Natural" was the term that Ethan Nwaneri's fresh Marseille colleague Pierre-Emile Højbjerg employed to characterize the Arsenal loanee's rapid adjustment to his new environment.
Nwaneri's journey in southern France was merely 13 minutes underway when he netted his inaugural goal at his new venue. As he jogged off the field with Marseille comfortably heading toward an impressive 3–1 victory over strong-performing Lens, the winter addition earned the appreciation of the Stade Vélodrome crowd.
It would be reasonable to expect that this perfect beginning will establish the pattern for what awaits Nwaneri throughout the rest of his six-month loan spell. However, he wouldn't be the first new player to disappoint after a goal-scoring first appearance, and Roberto De Zerbi's response to Saturday's success suggests the dynamic months that await.
How Nwaneri Fared on Marseille Debut
How Nwaneri Performed in His Marseille First Appearance
𝑬𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝑵𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒊 doesn't waste time 💨😮💨🔥
First start for 𝗔𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹 - ⚽️⚽️
First start for 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝟮𝟭 - ⚽️
First start for 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 - ⚽️ 🆕
🌟 🧒
⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/dZKEjWdcWQ
Nwaneri was already making news before stepping onto the field. The controversial figure of Mason Greenwood was relegated to the substitute bench apparently to accommodate Arsenal's talented 18-year-old. The former Manchester United striker serves as the offensive cornerstone of this Marseille squad, recording a team-leading 20 goals in all competitions—no other squad member has reached double figures yet.
De Zerbi's squad rotation—Greenwood had completed the entire 90 minutes against Liverpool three days prior—was quickly vindicated. Amine Gouiri pushed the home team ahead within three minutes before Nwaneri stepped into the limelight.
Receiving the ball just beyond his own half, the compact left-footed player weaved forward into the vast open spaces provided by a Lens team pursuing an early equalizer. Dropping his shoulder to move the ball onto his preferred left foot in what has become a trademark maneuver, Nwaneri bent his strike into the bottom corner, recording his first league goal since last April.
That instance was a standout moment in a comprehensive display from the new signing operating from an attacking midfield position slightly right of center, precisely where Mikel Arteta would be anticipated to deploy him. Nwaneri earned an outstanding 7/10 rating from the notoriously harsh evaluators at L'Équipe.
Nwaneri Has Momentum Immediately Checked—For His Own Good
Nwaneri Has Progress Instantly Managed—For His Own Benefit
Despite beginning and scoring in his first match, De Zerbi made it crystal clear that Nwaneri will not be participating in Wednesday's Champions League group stage conclusion for Marseille. Rather than any type of early discipline, this is to prevent overexerting the teenager, who performed admirably to even start so quickly after his loan agreement had been formally confirmed.
De Zerbi explained that Nwaneri is "so talented" he "didn't require practice" before making an uncommon start after spending much of the campaign on Arsenal's bench. Arteta never once included him in a Premier League starting lineup this season.
If Nwaneri is to stay physically prepared to accumulate more playing time in the upcoming weeks, De Zerbi would be prudent to avoid granting him too many minutes too quickly.
De Zerbi's Strengths and Weaknesses on Full Show
De Zerbi's Assets and Flaws on Complete Display
Just as William Saliba's positive loan experience at Marseille influenced Nwaneri's transfer, Arteta specifically mentioned De Zerbi's presence as a crucial element.
"Roberto is present and he's an exceptional developer of young players," the Arsenal manager praised this week. "He's a truly bold manager in how he utilizes young talent as well. He has an extensive history of that, and I believe it matches the playing style for the attributes we want to witness from Ethan. So it's going to be an excellent experience for him."
It is certainly going to be an animated experience.
Nwaneri witnessed both aspects of De Zerbi's complex brilliance during his Marseille debut. The Italian strategist successfully outmaneuvered the team currently positioned second in Ligue 1 and celebrated passionately on the field at the final whistle. However, by the time he had entered the press conference, that elation had transformed into defensiveness.
Completely unprovoked, De Zerbi highlighted that Marseille's 44 goals at this point in the season represented a club record. "I understand how we performed," he declared. "I don't need to persuade you."
De Zerbi strangely attributed his perceived inability to gain recognition from the French media to his nationality. "I mentioned that if I possessed a French passport, things would be different," he contended, again, without prompting.
"I came here with great respect. I've formed a bond with Marseille; it's a unique location, but many of you can criticize and behave like you control everything. Many are operating in bad faith. I remain in my position. But I believe nationality influences many things significantly. And I'm Italian, proud to be so. My only superior is Frank McCourt [Marseille owner], is that understood?"
What's equally evident is that Nwaneri will have a fascinating time adapting to this volatile personality.