The terms of Ethan Nwaneri's Marseille loan have changed once more after the Arsenal starlet was left out against Nice
Marseille are set to pay Arsenal even more after Ethan Nwaneri was once again overlooked on Sunday. The 19-year-old was an unused substitute for the second time in three Ligue 1 matches as Les Olympiens were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Nice.
One might assume former Newcastle defender Habib Beye, who succeeded Robert De Zerbi at the Stade Velodrome in February, would welcome the additional firepower. Yet he doesn't seem inclined to utilise Nwaneri's talents in the same way his predecessor did.
Having been handed three consecutive league starts under De Zerbi, Nwaneri hasn't featured in a starting league XI since Beye's arrival. And the manager may rue that choice after Elye Wahi's late leveller dealt a significant blow to Marseille's Champions League ambitions.
It's not entirely negative news for Arsenal, who stand to receive more money from Marseille the fewer minutes their player accumulates. L'Equipe reported earlier this month that a clause in the winger's contract means his loan fee decreases the more game time he receives.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page
De Zerbi, who is now in charge of Tottenham, regularly selected Nwaneri as his first-choice right-wing option during his spell at Marseille. Beye, however, has favoured Mason Greenwood and United States international Timothy Weah for that position.
This has left Nwaneri predominantly sidelined, having had just 152 minutes of league action since the former Senegal right-back assumed control, all from the substitutes' bench. He's managed one goal and one assist during that period, while also missing the spot-kick that knocked Marseille out of the Coupe de France.
According to L'Equipe, the youngster has shown a "persistent impression of nonchalance" that has troubled the hierarchy on France's south coast. On the bright side, at least, it means the Gunners stand to receive additional funds when his spell wraps up.
Marseille's stalemate at home to Nice on Sunday has left them sixth in Ligue 1 and heading towards qualification for the Conference League play-offs. This contrasts sharply with their fourth-place position when De Zerbi was dismissed in February, when they were firmly in the hunt for a Champions League berth.
Arsenal supporters will question whether Beye is overlooking a gifted talent who could prove instrumental in supporting those ambitions. Nwaneri began his loan spell encouragingly after netting on his debut but has rapidly slipped down the pecking order.
It was reported Marseille paid an initial £1.3million to loan Nwaneri for the second half of the 2025/26 campaign. This could subsequently increase to £3.5m depending on appearances and recent activity indicates the French side will be charged close to that maximum figure.
A stark clash of views between De Zerbi and Beye has stunted the Arsenal youngster's progress in just a matter of weeks. And it means Arsenal supporters will be all the more delighted to welcome their player back this summer in what has proved to be a frustrating stint overseas.