Nwaneri, on loan from Arsenal, has found game time at Marseille hard to come by in recent weeks Catherine Steenkeste via Getty Images
April 27, 2026Updated 10:58 am EDT
Marseille forward Ethan Nwaneri has had his commitment questioned by manager Habib Beye.
Nwaneri, who joined the French club on a short-term loan deal from Arsenal in January, has found game time hard to come by in recent weeks.
The 19-year-old has not started a game since being substituted at half-time against Paris Saint-Germain on February 8 and was not brought off the bench for Marseille’s 1-1 draw with Nice on Sunday, the fourth time he has been an unused substitute.
Beye was appointed in February, replacing now-Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi.
“He’s a quality player,” Beye told French broadcaster L1+ on Sunday. “But he has to show us a lot more in his everyday commitment. Other players have shown a lot more.”
After struggling for gametime at the start of the Premier League season and on some occasions finding himself out of matchday squads, Nwaneri joined Marseille on loan with working under De Zerbi being a factor in Arsenal’s decision to sanction the temporary move.
However, the Italian departed Marseille in February, less than a month after the England under-21 international joined the club.
Despite Nwaneri’s recent struggles, he had a great start to life at the Orange Velodrome. The England Under-21 international scored 13 minutes into his debut during a 3-1 victory over title-chasing Lens on January 24.
As reported by The Athletic in January, there is no option to buy included in Nwaneri’s loan deal to Marseille, but Arsenal will receive a loan fee, determined by how much he plays.
There is also a development fee, which could come into play if the midfielder does not get sufficient minutes in France.
Marseille, who have won just one of their last five games, now sit sixth in the Ligue 1 table. They are next in action against Nantes on Saturday.
Apr 28, 2026
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