French media tear Ethan Nwaneri apart after early Marseille exit | Football | Sport

Ethan Nwaneri’s loan spell from Arsenal to Marseille was dealt another setback on Sunday when his new club were demolished 5-0 by rivals Paris Saint-Germain. The 18-year-old was hauled off at the interval following a below-par first half. To ensure the talented Nwaneri gained regular first-team football, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta sanctioned the teenager’s departure in January as he traded north London for the south of France.

On his Ligue 1 debut, Nwaneri found the net and appeared poised to flourish. However, a disappointment against Paris FC and a cup victory in which he was taken off at the break following a dubious tackle ensued. And Nwaneri’s stint with Marseille reached a new low on Sunday when they visited rivals PSG and were dismantled 5-0.

Nwaneri began on the right flank, but when half-time arrived, he was pulled off by head coach Roberto De Zerbi yet again. French media outlets have been critical of his display, with one suggesting he warranted being substituted following a dire performance.

Local publication La Provence was especially damning of what was merely Nwaneri’s fourth outing for Marseille. They claim that the wonderkid has failed to replicate his debut form and crumbled under the weight of this massive encounter.

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They wrote: “Since his debut, which culminated in a goal against Lens, the Englishman has been unable to replicate that performance. This match, experienced as a starter, seemed far too big for his 18 years. Replaced by [Igor] Paixao at the start of the second half, he tried to motivate his team-mates. But this was in a way that was too haphazard and disorganised.”

The publication also delivered a harsh judgement on Nwaneri and other players’ futures, adding: “What is the point of blaming players who know nothing, or almost nothing, of what OM represents and who we can already bet will either have left or be on the transfer market next summer.”

Nwaneri’s underwhelming first half against PSG drew criticism from RMC Sport. The broadcaster noted during live coverage: “Nwaneri isn’t technically precise enough and Marseille are chasing the ball.”

Upon Nwaneri’s substitution, RMC Sport bluntly commented: “The Englishman struggled a lot in the first half. [Mason] Greenwood will now be able to return to his preferred position.”

The 18-year-old and his team-mates were further criticised at the end of the match for losing ground in the race for Champions League spots. The channel continued: “It’s a terrible humiliation for OM. Marseille were completely outclassed.”

Eurosport France refrained from placing much blame on Nwaneri himself. Whilst it was noted that the Englishman performed “without success” prior to being taken off, the outlet instead delivered a scathing assessment of De Zerbi’s entire squad, including Nwaneri, and speculated that the manager’s departure could be imminent.

Eurosport declared: “[It was a] total humiliation.

“His [De Zerbi’s] Marseille are a laughingstock. Disoriented, disorganised, completely lost, even though the summer investments had raised hopes for a successful season.

“In the long history of PSG-OM matches, the gap between the two teams has never been so wide. This evening could be a turning point, a game-changer, because it could seal De Zerbi’s fate. It’s hard to see how the Italian manager could emerge unscathed from this debacle.”

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