{"id":437980,"date":"2026-02-21T13:31:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T13:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/437980\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T13:31:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T13:31:12","slug":"french-media-react-as-ethan-nwaneri-handed-worrying-role-by-new-boss-and-chaos-continues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/437980\/","title":{"rendered":"French media react as Ethan Nwaneri handed worrying role by new boss and chaos continues"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Ethan Nwaneri&#8217;s Marseille side played their first match with manager Habib Beye at the helm on Friday, but the new boss failed to fly out of the traps<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ethan Nwaneri of Marseille pictured\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1_Ethan-Nwaneri-Marseille.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri's chaotic time at Marseille continued on Friday\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri&#8217;s chaotic time at Marseille continued on Friday(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Marseille suffered a 2-0 loss away to Brest on Friday in what was new manager Habib Beye&#8217;s first game in charge. And <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/arsenal-fc\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Arsenal <\/a>loanee <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/ethan-nwaneri\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Ethan Nwaneri<\/a> was limited to 25 minutes off the bench.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">After <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/tottenham-hotspur-fc\/news\/roberto-de-zerbi-tottenham-manager-33401399\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Roberto De Zerbi&#8217;s departure<\/a>, the out-of-sorts Olympiens welcomed back former club captain Beye, who had recently been dismissed by Rennes, as head coach. The club had <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/arsenal-fc\/news\/ethan-nwaneri-middle-marseille-chaos-33432313\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">failed to win their last three Ligue 1 matches<\/a> before his arrival.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gunners boss Mikel Arteta <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/arsenal-fc\/news\/arsenal-latest-ethan-nwaneri-loan-33424014\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">admitted De Zerbi was a decisive factor<\/a> in sending Nwaneri to France, and so Beye&#8217;s appointment plunges the starlet into the unknown. And having struggled in recent games, things went from bad to worse against Brest.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Nwaneri was <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/arsenal-fc\/news\/french-medias-reaction-marseille-collapse-33428096\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">once again benched<\/a> on Friday, with Beye clearly not rating him highly enough to start. The 18-year-old was brought on in the 71st minute but failed to make any impact as the chaos at the club worsened, and French media have now had their say.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AFCFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n<p>GFNF<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Before the crucial away clash with Brest, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getfootballnewsfrance.com\/2026\/player-ratings-i-brest-2-0-marseille-ludovic-ajorques-brace-spoils-habib-beyes-marseille-debut\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">GFNF <\/a>predicted that, under Beye, Nwaneri could struggle to start right away. A report read: &#8220;Nwaneri is only good enough for the bench.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Marseille's football team newly appointed head coach French-Senegalese Habib Beye poses with a team jersey at the end of a press conference following his first training session at Olympique de Marseille's Robert-Louis-Dreyfus training camp\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_FBL-FRA-MARSEILLE-PRESSER.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Beye has taken over from De Zerbi\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Beye has taken over from De Zerbi(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And they were correct as the new boss decided that the scarcely-played Arthur Vermeeren would play instead of him in an attacking role. The Englishman did come on and featured for 25 minutes, picking up a yellow card just before added time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But he did not create anything and GFNF&#8217;s analysis of yet another Marseille defeat claimed: &#8220;Shaken but not broken, they tried to get back on track. But nothing worked and their possession of the ball ultimately failed to create any dangerous situations.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>La Provence<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In the 2-0 loss, which came courtesy of goals from Brest&#8217;s Ludovic Ajorque in the 10th and 29th minutes, Beye&#8217;s faith in Vermeeren could spell bad news for Nwaneri.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Local outlet <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.laprovence.com\/article\/om\/1020315572566415\/le-billet-om-apres-la-crise-la-demission-collective-a-brest-cetait-le-pathetico\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">La Provence<\/a> reported: &#8220;For his debut in the sky blue and white, the former club captain opted for a textbook 4-3-3 formation. But one that had the merit of putting his new charges in a comfortable position, especially Arthur Vermeeren, who returned to the starting eleven after a month and a half on the bench.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Under De Zerbi, Nwaneri was seemingly right in the first-team picture, but if fellow loanee Vermeeren enters the fray, he could see his playing time greatly reduced. When the youngster did come off the bench against Brest, he replaced Amine Gouiri, who is one of the stronger names on the teamsheet.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Brest's French forward #19 Ludovic Ajorque celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the French L1 football match between Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) and Olympique de Marseille\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-BREST-MARSEILLE.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Brest striker Ajorque grabbed two against Nwaneri's side\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Brest striker Ajorque grabbed two against Nwaneri&#8217;s side(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">La Provence&#8217;s post-match low-down read: &#8220;Marseille sank even on this Friday evening in Brest. It was a disgraceful performance, particularly in the first half.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Eurosport France<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Beye would have hoped to get off to a quick start as Marseille boss, but ultimately came up short. His side were awarded a late penalty, which Mason Greenwood missed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">With Nwaneri confined to the bench for most of the match, only time will tell how he gets on under Beye. But first impressions indicate his dreary form is set to continue.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eurosport.fr\/football\/ligue-1\/2025-2026\/ligue-1-battu-2-0-a-brest-avec-un-double-de-ludovic-ajorque-lom-ne-releve-pas-la-tete-pour-la-premiere-sur-le-banc-de-habib-beye_sto23273704\/story.shtml\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Eurosport France&#8217;s<\/a> report on the match read: &#8220;The hoped-for resurgence following the arrival of Beye may have materialised after the break. But it wasn&#8217;t enough to fully awaken this decidedly listless OM side. Something is wrong with this team, which gave off a terrible impression of nervousness at the start of the match and didn&#8217;t look like a cohesive group trying to come back.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=football.london\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Click here to activate<\/a> or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.<\/p>\n<p>Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n<p>This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/affiliates\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769339290_266_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a349<\/p>\n<p>\u00a335<\/p>\n<p>Sky<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;campaign=&amp;clickref=Regionals-FootballLondon&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals&amp;platform=pl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">Get Sky Sports here<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has slashed the price of its <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;campaign=&amp;clickref=Regionals-FootballLondon&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals&amp;platform=pl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Essential TV and Sky Sports<\/a> bundle for the 2025\/26 season, saving members \u00a3336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ethan Nwaneri&#8217;s Marseille side played their first match with manager Habib Beye at the helm on Friday, but&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":437981,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[324,44328,218,2119,142652,101,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-437980","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-arsenal-transfer-news","9":"tag-ethan-nwaneri","10":"tag-football","11":"tag-mikel-arteta","12":"tag-roberto-de-zerbi","13":"tag-sports","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom","16":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/437980","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=437980"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/437980\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/437981"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=437980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=437980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=437980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}