Mikel Arteta explains Ethan Nwaneri transformation after Marseille loan

Mikel Arteta believes Ethan Nwaneri has returned to Arsenal a more mature player despite admitting the teenager's loan spell at Marseille did not unfold as planned.

The 19-year-old spent the second half of last season in Ligue 1 after leaving Arsenal in January in search of regular first-team football. Although Nwaneri made an immediate impact by scoring on his Marseille debut, he struggled for consistent opportunities and finished his spell in France with just 11 appearances.

Speaking after Arsenal's 4-1 pre-season victory over Girona, Arteta insisted the experience will ultimately benefit one of the club's brightest academy graduates.

Arteta acknowledged that Nwaneri's development on the pitch was disrupted during his time in France but believes the experience has accelerated his growth away from football.

"On the pitch, he didn't because a lot happened in Marseille. But when you just stand in front of him, you sense the maturity and he looks like a different man."

The Arsenal manager also admitted the loan move did not produce the footballing progress the club had hoped for.

"The experience on paper, it wasn't ideal but I think he went through something that is going to help him a lot in his career."

Nwaneri had been expected to play a bigger role at Arsenal following 37 appearances during the 2024/25 campaign, but he featured only six times in the Premier League before departing for Marseille.

Nwaneri is expected to face even greater competition for places this season, with Arsenal continuing to pursue reinforcements in midfield.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with Newcastle United's Bruno Guimarães, although Arteta declined to discuss specific transfer targets after the win over Girona.

Instead, he emphasised that Arsenal remain determined to strengthen before the transfer window closes.

"We are really active trying to improve and evolve the team; that's clear. We expect to have movements in the next few weeks, obviously. We want to get better like anybody else."

Arteta also explained why increasing competition within the squad remains a priority.

"Because the margins are very small. We need to increase the competition internally. We need to make sure we identify the things that we don't have in the team."

Arsenal continue their pre-season preparations against Real Betis before further friendlies with Borussia Dortmund and Como. The Gunners will then begin the defence of their Premier League title on 21 August against newly promoted Coventry City, while transfer activity is expected to continue before the window closes.