Ethan Nwaneri has joined Marseille on loan after finding it difficult to get regular minutes at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.
There were occasions when he was not even named in the matchday squad, and it became clear a move away was necessary.
A spell away was seen as the right move for everyone involved, and after speaking with De Zerbi, Arteta helped guide Nwaneri towards a loan switch to the Olympians until the end of the campaign.
The Italian manager clearly rates Nwaneri but he is also known to be a big fan of two other Arsenal players: Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze.
Roberto De Zerbi speaks highly of Arsenal pair Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze
De Zerbi really built up his reputation during his time in charge at Brighton, where he became known for his attacking style and tactical acumen.
Since then, he has continued to impress at Marseille in France, showing that his approach was not limited to one league.
Nwaneri is set to work with De Zerbi through the end of the season, and it will be interesting to see how the experience shapes him as a player.
The Italian manager has always had a soft spot for creative midfielders, and this week he took a moment to praise two more Arsenal players who fit that mould.
When speaking on the Viva El Futbol podcast, De Zerbi was asked to identify a single player he would be interested in coaching, whether at Marseille or globally.
“A player I really like a lot… Odegaard from Arsenal, who’s a number 10,” he answered.
“Olise, the one you mentioned earlier. Yes, I really like the one from Liverpool, Wirtz. Oh, and Eze, he’s also from Arsenal. Another strong player.”
Roberto De Zerbi believes Ethan Nwaneri will thrive at Marseille
Nwaneri is widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents around.
He has shown glimpses of his quality with Arsenal over the past two years, and plenty of people in the game believe he has what it takes to reach the top.
Mikel Arteta is known for demanding high standards, which could suit Nwaneri’s development well, but right now, he is not close to breaking into Arsenal’s starting line-up.
This loan move makes a lot of sense. De Zerbi expects just as much from his players as Arteta does, and that environment could benefit Nwaneri.
It will be interesting to see how he adapts to life in France over the next few months.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
