Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri’s difficult start to life at Marseille could be about to get worse
Mark Whiley Sports Reporter
08:14, 10 Feb 2026
All is not well behind the scenes at Ethan Nwaneri’s new club(Image: Getty Images)
Ethan Nwaneri faces being caught up in a Marseille player revolt just weeks after arriving from Arsenal.
The 18-year-old joined the French giants on loan for the rest of the campaign last month after struggling for game time under Mikel Arteta. However, after a bright start, which saw him score on his debut in a win over Lens, things have taken a turn for the worse.
On Sunday, Marseille were demolished 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain, with Nwaneri being hauled off at half-time with the score at 2-0. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi justified the decision by saying he needed to “protect” the youngster.
The former Brighton boss said: “He wasn’t having a great night. He wasn’t getting much support from his teammates. He needed to be protected, like all young players.”
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Following the match, reports have emerged in France claiming all is not well within the Marseille squad, with players said to be unhappy with De Zerbi’s methods. L’Equipe reports that the atmosphere in the camp has deteriorated in recent months, with players unhappy with working conditions, which include strict monitoring on and off the pitch.
That monitoring includes, it is reported, arrival and departure times from training, the length of stretching sessions and what is consumed in the club canteen.
Marseille players are reportedly unhappy with Roberto De Zerbi(Image: Getty Images)
Players are also said to be increasingly confused by De Zerbi’s decisions but don’t feel empowered enough to challenge him. The fact those issues with the Italian have been leaked to French media suggests matters are coming to a head, with a player revolt or a change of manager on the cards.
RMC Sport reports that the boss is reflecting on the current situation and questioning whether he is “definitively the problem”. The same outlet claims he “feels offended and betrayed by his players” but is supported by the club’s hierarchy.
As a new player, Nwaneri will have presumably kept his head down but it is far from an ideal situation for the youngster or Arteta, who told the teenager to “swim with the sharks” following his loan move.
Nwaneri was taken off at half-time against PSG(Image: Getty)
The Gunners boss said: “The talented young players that we have need minutes, and Ethan wasn’t getting enough minutes. The last thing we want to do is cut his development because he’s such a talent. He lives and breathes football. That’s his life.
“Having all the options, and understanding the experience that we had in Marseille with William (Saliba), and the fact that Roberto (De Zerbi) is there, who is an incredible developer of young talent and the courageous way he plays, means it is going to be a great experience for Ethan.”
Marseille, who are currently fourth in Ligue 1, 12 points off leaders PSG, host Strasbourg on Saturday.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£49
£35
Sky
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.