French media turn on Ethan Nwaneri after he suffers another Marseille setback

Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri was substituted at half-time again by his Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi on Sunday as the Ligue 1 side were thrashed 5-0 by rivals PSG

Ethan Nwaneri’s loan switch from Arsenal to Marseille suffered another blow on Sunday when his new club were demolished 5-0 by rivals PSG. The 18-year-old was hauled off at the interval following a lacklustre first-half display.

To ensure the talented Nwaneri gained regular first-team minutes, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta sanctioned the teenager’s departure in January as he traded north London for the south of France. In his Ligue 1 bow, Nwaneri found the net and appeared poised for success.

Yet a disappointment against Paris FC and a cup triumph where he was taken off at the break after a dubious tackle ensued. And Nwaneri’s stint with Marseille reached a fresh nadir on Sunday when they visited rivals PSG and were dismantled 5-0.

Nwaneri began on the right flank, but when the interval arrived, he was substituted by head coach Roberto De Zerbi yet again. French media outlets have been critical of his display, with one suggesting he merited being withdrawn after a poor showing.

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La Provence

Regional publication La Provence proved especially harsh in its assessment of what was merely Nwaneri’s fourth outing for Marseille. The outlet suggests the 18-year-old has failed to replicate his debut form and crumbled beneath the weight of this huge encounter.

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La Provence commented: “Since his debut, which culminated in a goal against Lens, the Englishman has been unable to replicate that performance. This match, experienced as a starter, seemed far too big for his 18 years. Replaced by [Igor] Paixao at the start of the second half, he tried to motivate his team-mates. But this was in a way that was too haphazard and disorganised.”

A scathing assessment of Nwaneri and the prospects of other players was also delivered. The publication continued: “What is the point of blaming players who know nothing, or almost nothing, of what OM represents and who we can already bet will either have left or be on the transfer market next summer.”

RMC Sport

Nwaneri’s dismal opening 45 minutes against PSG also came under fire from RMC Sport. The broadcaster remarked during live commentary: “Nwaneri isn’t technically precise enough and Marseille are chasing the ball.”

Following Nwaneri’s substitution, RMC Sport brutally declared: “The Englishman struggled a lot in the first half. [Mason] Greenwood will now be able to return to his preferred position.”

The teenager and his team-mates faced further criticism at the final whistle for losing ground in the race for Champions League qualification. The channel stated: “It’s a terrible humiliation for OM. Marseille were completely outclassed.”

Eurosport France

Eurosport France didn’t direct much of its criticism towards Nwaneri. Although it was noted that the Englishman performed “without success” before being taken off. The outlet instead delivered a scathing assessment of De Zerbi’s entire squad, including Nwaneri, and speculated that the manager might soon leave. Eurosport declared: “[It was a] total humiliation.

“His [De Zerbi’s] Marseille are a laughingstock. Disoriented, disorganised, completely lost, even though the summer investments had raised hopes for a successful season.

“In the long history of PSG-OM matches, the gap between the two teams has never been so wide. This evening could be a turning point, a game-changer, because it could seal De Zerbi’s fate. It’s hard to see how the Italian manager could emerge unscathed from this debacle.”

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