Arsenal: Mikel Arteta sends Ethan Nwaneri challenge as starlet's loan form stalls | OneFootball

Youngster made fast start to life in Ligue 1 but fell out of favour after Roberto De Zerbi departure

Mikel Arteta has warned Ethan Nwaneri he must answer questions over his commitment at Marseille, suggesting it could be the making of the Arsenal teenager's career if he does so.

The opportunity to play under Roberto De Zerbi was also a key factor in Arsenal trusting Marseille with the 19-year-old's development but he left the club shortly afterwards.

Arteta said it was on Nwaneri to prove he deserved minutes and pointed to the impact a loan at the French club had on William Saliba's career.

"I think that's the coach's opinion," Arteta said in response to Beye's comments.

Ethan Nwaneri made a fast start to life in Ligue 1 but his form has seen a dramatic downturn

AFP via Getty Images

"He's with him every single day and that's it. He's the one making the decision, he's the one that sees and understands better what he's doing.

"Ethan has to respond to that in the right way. It's the same place that William Saliba was there, same club. The outcome - let's see.

"Maybe it's the best thing that can happen for Ethan, for his career. Maybe, we don't know."

Nwaneri has not started a match since Beye took charge at Marseille on February 19.

“He’s a quality player,” Beye said last Sunday. “But he has to show us a lot more in his everyday commitment. Other players have shown a lot more.”

Saliba spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Marseille, making 52 appearances across all competitions. He returned to Arsenal the following season and has been an ever-present in Arteta's side since then.

In the first half of this season at Arsenal, Nwaneri played just 166 minutes of Premier League football.

All of those were off the bench, but he did make four starts across the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.