Arteta believes Nwaneri loan can still be positive

Mikel Arteta believes Ethan Nwaneri’s loan to Marseille can still be a positive for his career, despite the player’s lack of consistent minutes.

When Ethan Nwaneri joined Olympique Marseille on loan in the January transfer window, the hope was that he’d follow in the footsteps of William Saliba.

Saliba had gone on loan to Marseille a few years earlier, becoming one of the stars of their team before returning to Arsenal ready for starts.

But things didn’t go the same way for Nwaneri, who made 11 appearances and just four starts across 18 available fixtures.

Speaking to the media after Arsenal’s friendly match against Girona, Mikel Arteta admitted that they’d hoped for more, but added that Nwaneri still seems to have benefitted from the experience.

“On the pitch it didn’t (go as expected) because a lot happened in Marseille but when you stand in front of him, you sense the maturity,” Arteta said. “He looks like a different man.

“The experience on paper wasn’t ideal, but I think he went through something that is going to help him a lot in his career.”

Nwaneri will get a chance to show what he’s learned during pre-season, playing an hour against Girona on Saturday and preparing for further minutes against Real Betis on Wednesday night.

But if the 19-year-old wants to play for Arsenal regularly this season, rather than going out on another loan or leaving for good, he’ll need to take this opportunity before Martin Odegaard’s imminent return and the later return of the England internationals.

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