Ethan Nwaneri has missed out on Arsenal’s brilliant Champions League run after being sent to spend the second half of the season with Marseille
Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri could still land a Champions League winners’ medal if the Gunners beat PSG later this month, despite spending the second half of the season on loan with Ligue 1 side Marseille.
The Gunners youngster made three appearances in the competition for Mikel Arteta’s side this season, before heading to France.
Nwaneri played just 101 minutes across three games versus Atletico Madrid, Slavia Praha and Club Brugge in the league phase of the tournament, but didn’t register a goal or assist in the competition.
Overall, he made 12 appearances for the Gunners, scoring one goal against Brighton in the Carabao Cup, playing just 515 minutes in all competitions this season.
If Arsenal beat PSG in the final in Budapest later this month, they’ll be awarded 50 gold medals, while the runner-up will be given 50 silver medals.
That number has increased significantly, meaning those outside of the starting XI and substitutes in Budapest can be rewarded for their efforts throughout the campaign.
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The distribution of those medals will be at the club’s discretion, so it will be up to Arsenal whether or not Nwaneri is awarded one for his efforts this season.
Given he’s played a role in helping the Gunners reach the final, it would be highly likely he’s given a medal regardless of the outcome.
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Nwaneri made a fast start to life in France but has fallen down the pecking order since Roberto De Zerbi left Marseille earlier this year.
New Marseille boss Habib Beye called on the Arsenal loanee to show more ‘everyday commitment’, having been left on the bench for three of their last four games.
When asked about Beye’s comments, Arteta said: “I think that’s the coach’s opinion. He’s with him every single day and that’s it. He’s the one making the decision, he’s the one that sees and understands better what he’s doing.
“Ethan has to respond to that in the right way. It’s the same place that William Saliba was there, same club. The outcome – let’s see.
“Maybe it’s the best thing that can happen for Ethan, for his career. Maybe, we don’t know.”
“He’s a quality player,” Beye said earlier last month. “But he has to show us a lot more in his everyday commitment. Other players have shown a lot more.”
