Ethan Nwaneri could find himself at the centre of a major transfer decision at Arsenal after his difficult loan spell at Marseille raised questions over his immediate future at the Emirates.

The teenage midfielder was sent to the south of France last season with the expectation that he would become an important player under Roberto De Zerbi.

However, De Zerbi’s acrimonious departure from Marseille shortly after Nwaneri’s arrival changed the situation dramatically.

The Arsenal academy graduate went on to make just nine Ligue 1 appearances, with De Zerbi’s successor Habib Beye using him sparingly.

Despite the frustrating spell, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes the experience could prove valuable for the youngster in the long term.

Following Arsenal’s pre-season victory over Girona, Arteta suggested that Nwaneri’s time in France could “help him a lot in his career”, while also indicating that the midfielder had returned looking like “a different man”.

That could potentially open the door for Nwaneri to play a more prominent role in Arsenal’s first-team plans.

A Record-Breaking Teenager

Nwaneri has been on Arsenal’s radar as a special talent since breaking into the first team at an incredibly young age.

He made his Premier League debut before the 2022 World Cup at just 15 years old, becoming the youngest player ever to appear in the competition.

Arsenal’s willingness to give him a pathway into senior football was also crucial during his development, particularly when Manchester City and Chelsea were reportedly interested in securing his services.

The midfielder has since continued to develop, although his loan experience at Marseille provided considerably less first-team football than expected.

Different Position to Vinicius

Nwaneri’s potential future at Arsenal could also be influenced by the club’s wider transfer plans.

While speculation may link him with a move depending on Arsenal’s recruitment, the teenager would not necessarily compete directly with a player such as Vinicius because of the positions he normally occupies.

Nwaneri is capable of playing from the right, as a No.10 or even as a false nine, giving him considerable tactical versatility.

That versatility, combined with his age and potential, could make him an attractive proposition for clubs looking to invest in a young attacking midfielder.

Could Arsenal Break Their Academy Sale Record?

If Arsenal eventually decide to sell Nwaneri, the club could potentially command a significant fee.

The Gunners’ record academy sale remains Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who joined Liverpool in 2017 for a reported fee of around £35 million.

Arteta’s tenure has already seen Arsenal generate significant sums from academy graduates, with players including Folarin Balogun, Joe Willock, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah moving on.

However, Nwaneri could represent an even more valuable asset.

His age, technical ability, potential and relatively low salary could make him one of the most attractive academy players Arsenal have produced in recent years.

For now, Arteta’s comments suggest Arsenal are still assessing how best to develop the teenager following his challenging experience in France.

Whether that means giving Nwaneri another opportunity in north London or eventually cashing in on his potential remains to be seen.

But one thing is clear: if Arsenal decide to part ways with their young star, Nwaneri could become the biggest academy sale in the club’s history.