Steven Gerrard has praised Arsenal‘s decision to loan Ethan Nwaneri to Marseille. The former Liverpool skipper believes it represents a shrewd move from Mikel Arteta to sacrifice squad depth in order to allow the promising midfielder to develop under Roberto De Zerbi.
Nwaneri has already been photographed brandishing a Marseille scarf upon his Wednesday arrival to complete his temporary switch. The youngest ever Premier League debutant has found game time limited this season despite making a notable contribution last campaign during Bukayo Saka‘s injury absence. He will be eager to build upon his six Premier League appearances whilst in France, with Gerrard viewing it as an excellent decision.
The former Rangers and Aston Villa manager considers it a loan arrangement that will prove beneficial for all parties concerned.
Gerrard maintains that collaborating with De Zerbi can only enhance Nwaneri’s development, alongside securing match experience on a prominent platform.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Gerrard said: “I love it, I love it. I think if this works that everyone can be a winner from it.
“I think Mikel Arteta has been extremely clever here because he’s sending him to De Zerbi as well, who has got a track record for improving players, and he will give him the time and education and development and he’ll get more game time playing for Marseille.
“If he gets, samples the league, samples the experiences like tonight it’s not going to do him any harm. He’s a top talent and now he’s got to go and get experience and this will be great for him for the future.
“I think from a selfish point of view, he [Arteta] probably wanted to keep him around the squad. If you’re going for the Premier League and the Champions League and the quadruple, if you like, you want as many options as you can get from a selfish point of view.
“But there’s got to be a part of you where you think about the player and where he’s going to be in the next three or four years, and if he’s going to be a top player for Arsenal, the best thing for him is to play games.
“Give him different experiences, go and test him in France. Test him around Europe and hopefully in six months or if he extends it then he comes back with more games under his belt and more experience and he’s a better player.
“But without a doubt, De Zerbi will make him a better player.”
Nwaneri is understood to have given his blessing to the switch as well, saying: “William Saliba told me OM is one of the best clubs in the world.”
The teenager is also believed to have lauded his future manager, adding: “Roberto De Zerbi is also one of the best coaches in the world.”