Ethan Nwaneri situation is quietly becoming Arsenal’s nightmare

Ethan Nwaneri is becoming a stranger to his loaned club, Marseille. While Arsenal might be making money in seeing him rot on the bench for the French side, it shouldn't make Mikel Arteta happy. Neither should it ruin Nwaneri's career in North London, by following the same mistake Arsenal made with Serge Gnabry.

According to French publication L'Equipe, the more that Ethan Nwaneri plays for Marseille, the less they need to pay to Arsenal in their loan fee. It is for this reason that his secured spot on the bench, not the field, is surprising. Common sense would tell you that Nwaneri is good enough to play for Marseille, but perhaps the French side don't like his attitude.

Ethan Nwaneri must not become the next Serge Gnabry

When Serge Gnabry went on loan from Arsenal to West Brom, this was the beginning of the end for his Arsenal tenure. Tony Pulis didn't give Gnabry any minutes, and the sentiment was 'well, if Gnabry isn't good enough for West Brom, he isn't good enough for Arsenal.'

That gave Gnabry a fire and Arsenal the wrong impression. He was sold, and within a few years, he became one of the best wingers in the world, tearing it up for Bayern Munich. Arsenal didn't spot the star that Gnabry clearly was, and they live to regret the decision now.

Unfortunately, the current Nwaneri predicament is telling the same tale as Gnabry's did. Arsenal must not fall into the trap of building a team without Nwaneri simply because he isn't playing for Marseille.

Arsenal vs Man City had an eerily different feel last season

As Arsenal approach the weekend's fixture against Man City, which is arguably the biggest game in Mikel Arteta's career to date, let's not forget when Ethan Nwaneri scored against Man City last season. It was during this time, Arsenal's 5-1 trouncing of Man City (just last year, by the way), that Arsenal fans felt safe in the knowledge that their future was bright.

Another star of that game was Myles Lewis-Skelly who, unlike Nwaneri, is still available for Arsenal to select. However, much like Nwaneri, the future doesn't look so bright for Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal. He is even linked with a move away in the summer transfer window.

Where Mikel Arteta has asked for progress this season, he's done so at the expense of Hale End graduates. This is largely despite the 'future is bright' feeling fans had when annihilating Man City last season.

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