Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has addressed the club’s decision to loan out teenage midfielder Ethan Nwaneri despite the long-term injury setback suffered by captain Martin Ødegaard, Soccernet.ng reports.
With Arsenal short of creative options following Ødegaard’s extended absence, questions have been raised about whether Nwaneri could have provided cover in midfield.
However, Arteta insisted the loan move was taken in the best interests of both the club and the player at the time.
Arteta defends Nwaneri loan decision
Speaking on the circumstances surrounding the loan, Arteta admitted the situation was shaped by unforeseen injuries but maintained that the original call was justified.
“After making the decision, who could have predicted that Mikel was going to be out for five months and Kai?” Arteta said. “It’s unfortunate. At the end we had to make the decision in the moment, understanding the context there and the best decision for the club and for Ethan.
“For sure it was for him to go and experience a different environment, play minutes and get ready to come back to us.”
Nwaneri joined Olympique de Marseille on loan, with Arteta also responding to questions about managerial changes at the Ligue 1 side.
“I cannot control [Roberto De Zerbi leaving]. Again it’s a decision and that’s part of playing on loan. That’s part of a journey of a football player. So you’re going to have to work with different coaches and that can happen any moment, you cannot control that, you cannot avoid that.
“Yes, one of the reasons [we sent him there] for sure it was Roberto, but also it was Marseille and what Marseille as a club and as an environment brings to Ethan. I think that’s going to be still very positive.”
Nwaneri embraces Nigerian identity
Beyond his club future, Nwaneri has also attracted attention for comments about his international identity, having previously declared himself Nigerian despite representing England at youth level.
“Yes, I know. I’m Nigerian, and I am here to help the team as much as possible,” the Arsenal youngster told R.org.
His remarks have fuelled speculation over a possible future switch of international allegiance, with Nigeria closely monitoring his development as he gains senior experience abroad.
