Robert Pirès backs Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri to adapt at Marseille: ‘The English aren’t afraid of anything’ | OneFootball

Former Marseille winger Robert Pirès has expressed confidence that Arsenal’s teenage midfielder Ethan Nwaneri (18) will cope with the turbulence surrounding OM’s season, despite arriving in an unstable context.Nwaneri originally moved to Marseille to continue his development under Roberto De Zerbi, but after only three weeks at the club, the Italian departed amid a turbulent mid-season for Les Olympiens. Pirès, however, was not concerned – speaking in an interview with local paper La Provence.

“The English aren’t afraid of anything,” he said. “I’m not worried about him.”The former Arsenal midfielder stressed that adaptation is rarely linear, particularly in Marseille’s unique atmosphere. “He is technically very good, he takes players on, he provokes,” Pirès continued. “Over the last three months, Habib Beye can bring him something – and vice versa.”

“What is good for him is that Habib speaks English very well,” Pirès noted, before adding “Mason Greenwood will also help him.”

For Nwaneri, the context is demanding. Marseille remain locked in a tight race for the podium while also pursuing silverware in the Coupe de France, with pressure rarely dipping at the Vélodrome. The 18-year-old has been named on the bench in Marseille’s two previous outings, with Les Olympiens currently training in Marbella ahead of a crunch Ligue 1 clash against Lyon this weekend. GFFN | George Boxall