Ethan Nwaneri announces himself with fearless Marseille debut

Ethan Nwaneri could scarcely have asked for a better introduction to Ligue 1 McDonald's with Marseille. Signed on loan from Arsenal on Friday, the 18-year-old winger was thrown straight into the starting XI by Roberto De Zerbi for Saturday night’s clash against RC Lens - and responded by scoring a sensational goal in a 3-1 victory at the Stade Vélodrome.

Nwaneri showed no sign of nerves in a big game. After Amine Gouiri had opened the scoring in the third minute, the England youth international doubled Marseille’s lead ten minutes later, driving forward before curling a precise left-footed effort from outside the box into the far corner.

“I saw the space and took advantage”

Speaking after the match, Nwaneri explained the simplicity behind his decisive action. “I saw the space, I took advantage, I accelerated and felt there was an opportunity to score,” he told Ligue 1+. “I’m very happy for myself and for the supporters.”

Beyond the goal, the teenager played with confidence and personality, contributing to Marseille’s fast start before being replaced by Mason Greenwood shortly after the hour mark. “I’m very happy for the team, we played a good match,” Nwaneri added. “I’m excited — there are a lot of high-quality players here and we can achieve something special.”

De Zerbi’s immediate trust rewarded

Roberto De Zerbi’s decision to start Nwaneri so soon after his arrival underlined the confidence the Marseille coach has in his winter recruits. The Italian also praised the adaptation of fellow January signing Quinten Timber, who was also named in the starting XI.

“The new players adapted very well,” De Zerbi said in his post-match press conference. “We play every three days and needed to change something. Nwaneri and Timber are so strong that they don’t need many training sessions.”

"Ethan will become a top player, I’m sure about that."

Used behind Gouiri in Marseille’s attacking structure, Nwaneri was encouraged to play freely, carry the ball and attack defenders. It was an approach that suited him perfectly.

Direct, fearless and willing to take responsibility, Nwaneri’s style already appears well suited to the demands of the Vélodrome. While he was occasionally challenged physically, the winger continued to demand the ball and play on the front foot.

Joining a select club of Marseille debut scorers

By finding the net on his first appearance, Nwaneri also joined a select group of players to have scored on their Marseille debut after arriving during the winter transfer window.

Mario Balotelli achieved the feat in January 2019, scoring late against Lille in his first outing in OM colours. Arkadiusz Milik, while failing to score on debut in January 2021, went on to enjoy a productive half-season, netting nine times in 15 Ligue 1 matches.

Looking further back, Didier Drogba famously scored on his Guingamp debut following a January move in 2002 - a campaign that later earned him a transfer to Marseille the following summer, where he would go on to become a club icon.

Nwaneri’s debut performance also echoed the reasoning behind Arsenal’s decision to send him to Marseille. Speaking after the loan was confirmed, Mikel Arteta stressed the importance of allowing the teenager to develop in an environment where he could express himself.

The Arsenal manager described Marseille as a club where Nwaneri could “develop and be himself”, highlighting Roberto De Zerbi’s attacking philosophy as an ideal fit. Arteta has previously praised the Italian as “one of the best coaches”, and viewed OM’s style of play as particularly suited to Nwaneri’s ability to receive the ball between the lines and drive directly at defenders.

That freedom was immediately evident against Lens. De Zerbi’s use of attacking midfielders behind the striker allowed Nwaneri to operate in his preferred right-of-centre spaces, carry the ball forward and take responsibility in decisive moments.

If this debut was any indication, Nwaneri's loan at Marseille could become an important step in the young Englishman's development. 

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