Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has praised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for what he described as a very smart January loan decision involving teenage midfielder Ethan Nwaneri.
Arsenal have sent the 18 year old to French side Marseille for the remainder of the season in a move aimed at boosting his playing time and development.
Nwaneri made history in 2022 when he became the youngest player ever to feature in the Premier League, debuting for Arsenal at just 15 years old. He went on to enjoy an impressive campaign last season, featuring in 37 matches across all competitions and establishing himself as an important part of Arteta’s squad.
Given his strong performances, many expected Nwaneri to play a more prominent role this season as Arsenal pushed for the Premier League title. However, he has so far appeared in only three matches, all of them in cup competitions.
Despite initial plans for him to remain in North London and continue his development within a title chasing squad, Nwaneri informed the club that a move to Marseille appealed to him. He was keen to secure regular football and excited about the prospect of playing in a new league and country.
The England under 21 international joins a Marseille side currently third in Ligue 1, eight points behind surprise leaders Lens, and sitting mid table in their Champions League group. He will work under manager Roberto De Zerbi, a coach widely respected for nurturing young talent.
Gerrard believes the former Brighton manager will play a key role in Nwaneri’s growth and praised Arteta’s judgment in sanctioning the move. Speaking on TNT Sports, the former Liverpool captain said:
“I love it, I love it. If this works, everyone has the chance to benefit from it.
“Mikel Arteta has been extremely clever in this move because he’s sending him to De Zerbi, who has a history of helping players get better.
“He will provide him with the time, education, and development he requires. He will get more playing time with Marseille, and if he experiences the league and things like tonight, it won’t hurt his growth.
“He’s really good at what he does, and now he just needs to gain some experience. This should help him a lot in the future.”
Gerrard’s comments underline the belief that the loan spell could prove beneficial not only for Nwaneri’s development but also for Arsenal in the long term as they look to nurture the next generation of talent.
