French media accuse Arsenal loanee of ‘regressing’ despite crucial goal

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Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri found the back of the net for Marseille on Sunday, but French media outlets were far from impressed with his overall display in the 2-1 defeat to Champions League-chasing Lille.

The 19-year-old, who moved to the Stade Velodrome in January seeking regular first-team football, was initially named on the bench by manager Habib Beye. However, he was thrust into action earlier than expected when Mason Greenwood suffered an injury and was forced off in the 18th minute.

Nwaneri made an immediate impact, opening the scoring just before half-time with what was only his second goal for the French side. The Arsenal academy graduate timed his run perfectly to meet Igor Paixao’s cross, finishing with a cushioned volley that showcased his technical ability.

Mixed reviews from French press

Despite his crucial goal, French media outlets were critical of his broader contribution. La Provence acknowledged the significance of his strike but noted that “he did not contribute as much as expected” for the remainder of the match.

Online publication GFNF praised his “exceptional” finish but highlighted his struggles in the second period: “He did however, regress in the second period, losing the ball on several occasions when OM were looking to break quickly.”

Foot Mercato reached a similar conclusion, describing how the young midfielder “was a bit sloppy on his first touches” before his goal, and became “less prominent as the minutes ticked by” before eventually being substituted in the 76th minute.

Challenging loan spell continues

The England youth international’s time in France has proven challenging since Roberto De Zerbi’s departure as manager. Under new boss Habib Beye, Nwaneri has yet to start a match, despite showing glimpses of his potential with a goal on his debut against Lens and an assist in a vital victory over Lyon earlier this month.

Marseille’s defeat to Lille, sealed by former Gunners striker Olivier Giroud’s 86th-minute winner, dealt a significant blow to their Champions League aspirations. The result highlighted the pressure on players like Nwaneri to make an impact when given opportunities in crucial matches.

While the criticism from French media suggests areas for improvement, the teenager’s ability to find the net in important moments demonstrates the quality that made him such a highly-rated prospect at Arsenal. His loan spell continues to provide valuable experience as he develops his game away from north London.