Arsenal have been told they have a “big problem” with Ethan Nwaneri after Roberto De Zerbi was sacked by Marseille.
The 18-year-old has endured a rollercoaster loan spell in France as he hoped to continue his development under the ex-Brighton boss.
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Just 19 days ago, Nwaneri agreed to spend the rest of the season at Marseille after failing to make the Premier League starting XI this season.
The England U21 international has only started four times in twelve appearances for the Gunners in all competitions this season.
Arteta said a key reason Arsenal believed Marseille was the “right place” was that De Zerbi was a “really brave manager” who played young talent.
The decision appeared to be a wise one as Nwaneri scored after just 13 minutes on his debut in a 3-1 win over Lens last month.
However, he was ineligible to play when Marseille were eliminated from the Champions League after a surprise 3-0 defeat to Club Brugge.
Since then, Nwaneri has struggled in each of his next three games and was substituted at half-time by De Zerbi in his last two games.
The most recent defeat came in a 5-0 defeat against rivals Paris Saint-Germain, who have since seen their manager leave the club.
Arsenal are facing a “big problem” with Nwaneri.
Speaking about what De Zerbi’s departure means for Nwaneri, European football expert Andy Brassell told The Pitch Prospect: “It’s a big problem.”
“There is no doubt about that.
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“It felt like Nwaneri was being signed by De Zerbi, with Arsenal initially hesitant to let him go and then really Arteta deciding this was a place and a man he could develop under.”
“If we go back and Roberto De Zerbi talked about it all season, ‘I need my number 10, I need my number 10 to complete my team.’ And that’s why we know where Nwaneri is developing in the team.
“For him, this vision was the reason why the transfer came about.”
“So [now that it has fallen] Apart from De Zerbi, you would be a little worried from afar because you believe so much in him as the right coach, even more than in Marseille as a team.
“You believe that Marseille is the right club to take Nwaneri to the next level and help him develop, and then if De Zerbi suddenly leaves, you have no control over that.”
Ironically, De Zerbi could end up at Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham following the sacking of Thomas Frank.
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The Pitch Prospect understands De Zerbi, who is eyeing his next step in the summer, was on Spurs’ list before Ange Postecoglou was signed.
“If I’m the chairman of Spurs right now, I’ll call him and get him at Tottenham tomorrow,” Jamie O’Hara said on Drive.
Arsenal’s next game
The Gunners have three games left before they face Spurs in the North London derby on February 22nd.
They face Brentford on Thursday, which will be broadcast live on The Pitch Prospect, before facing Wigan in the FA Cup on Sunday and Wolves in the Premier League on Wednesday February 18.
YouTube show Inside Gooners warned about the test that awaits them against Brentford.
Broadcaster and Arsenal fan Deluded Gooner said: “It’s a massive game. Brentford are a very well-run club. They are one of the most forward-thinking clubs in the league.”
“Many of the traditional top six couldn’t lose their manager in Thomas Frank back then.
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Their captain is Christian Noorgaard, the stars are Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, and they are actually doing better with their recruitment and everything they do. So call Keith Andrews.
“They actually have a chance of qualifying for Europe, so it’s not a given.
“It’s a potential banana peel.
“It won’t be easy, but if we really want this and show our true quality, we have nothing to fear.
“I do think it will be an end-to-end game. It will be a bit nervous. We might have to see Kai Havertz or Viktor Gyokeres a little later.”
“We have to be prepared for long throws and their consequences.
“I won’t go so far as to say we’ll win the league, but it’s a huge hurdle to overcome. So come Thursday we know what we have to do.”