French media split on Ethan Nwaneri as teenager suffers second Marseille blow

Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri started for Marseille against Paris FC but was substituted after 67 minutes as his side squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in stoppage time

Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri was given a starting berth as Marseille took on Paris FC on Saturday. However, the 18-year-old failed to replicate his debut heroics and ended the match watching from the sidelines as his side threw away a two-goal lead.

Nwaneri became the Gunners’ youngest-ever Premier League player when he broke through in 2022 and Mikel Arteta clearly rates him highly. Yet despite being afforded considerable first-team opportunities in subsequent years, a January loan move to ensure regular game time was ultimately sanctioned.

French outfit Marseille stepped in and Nwaneri made his bow in a crucial encounter against fellow Ligue 1 title contenders Lens. In that fixture, he found the net and impressed for his new employers having been handed the No. 11 jersey.

He was ineligible to play when Marseille exited the Champions League in midweek, but was back in the starting XI for the vital clash with Paris FC. French press opinion was divided on the 18-year-old, who was withdrawn after 67 minutes and witnessed his team pegged back in the fourth minute of stoppage time to finish 2-2.

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L’Equipe

Following their Champions League heartbreak, L’Equipe were critical of Marseille’s players in the stalemate. A Mason Greenwood spot-kick in the 18th minute put them ahead before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang extended their lead in the second period.

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However, late strikes from Jonathan Ikone and Ilan Kebbal saw the points shared, leaving the away side trailing further behind in the title race. Paris FC languish in the lower half of the table and Marseille’s players managed a paltry average rating of just 4.5/10 for their displays.

During their live commentary, L’Equipe particularly highlighted: “[Nwaneri was] more discreet than during his recent debut.” After a mere 15 minutes they observed: “Marseille remain enterprising.

“But they are also looking somewhat disorganised in their attacking intentions during this first quarter of an hour. Nwaneri is not making an impact.”

RMC Sport

Fellow outlet RMC Sport were equally scathing of Nwaneri’s team, stating: “After their European disappointment, Marseille thought they had bounced back, but collapsed at the very end of the match, conceding a draw in stoppage time against Paris FC.

“Despite a two-goal lead, OM squandered everything and missed the opportunity to move closer to the top of the table. The newly promoted Parisian side snatched a point that is worth its weight in gold in the fight against relegation.”

Regarding their assessment of Nwaneri, they singled out new recruit Quinten Timber during the match, who received plaudits for being far more influential than the English teenager.

On Timber they noted: “The Dutchman, one of OM’s two new signings, is mobile and always available for his team-mates. He is much more prominent than Nwaneri, who combines less effectively.”

Eurosport France

However, not everyone concurred that Nwaneri was ineffective in his second start for Marseille. Eurosport France noted that things took a turn for the worse for Roberto De Zerbi’s team after Nwaneri was substituted in the 67th minute.

“Everything was going well for Marseille before the double substitution in the 67th minute,” they wrote. “Lined up in a 3-4-3 formation, they were active from the kickoff, but were not exactly dazzling.”

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