Marseille head coach Habib Beye has defended his decision to allow Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri to take a penalty after the teenager missed during the club’s Coupe de France quarter-final defeat to Toulouse.
The match finished 2-2 before Toulouse progressed with a 4-3 victory on penalties at the Stade Vélodrome. Nwaneri’s effort sailed over the crossbar, a moment that left the 18-year-old visibly emotional after the final whistle.
Despite the miss, Beye praised the young midfielder’s willingness to take responsibility in a high-pressure moment.
Habib Beye backs Ethan Nwaneri after missed Marseille penalty
Questions emerged after the match about why Nwaneri had been included among Marseille’s penalty takers, particularly given his age and recent arrival on loan from Arsenal.
However, Beye insisted the decision was made collectively and based on the players’ willingness to step forward.
“What I like is the personality of a player who decides to go for it. When we discussed it, we were very clear about the shooting order. They went for it and I respect that personality.” — Habib Beye
The Marseille coach also pointed out that experienced defender Leonardo Balerdi missed a penalty in the same shootout, emphasising that responsibility is shared.
“They’re the ones most affected tonight, but that’s how it is. It’s a technical skill that in that moment was not mastered.” — Habib Beye
Difficult period for Arsenal loanee in Marseille
Nwaneri initially made an impressive start after joining Marseille on loan in January, scoring on his debut against Lens.
However, the circumstances around the club have changed significantly in recent weeks.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi, who played a major role in bringing the youngster to France, was dismissed following Marseille’s heavy 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique.
Marseille were also eliminated from the Champions League by Club Brugge before the knockout stage, limiting the opportunities for Nwaneri to gain further European experience.
Having followed Nwaneri’s early career closely, the teenager remains one of Arsenal’s most promising academy graduates. However, it remains too early to determine whether the loan move will ultimately benefit his development in the long term.
Beye stressed that missing a penalty should not define a player’s contribution or character. “I never judge a player who misses a penalty because you have to take the responsibility to step up.”
Key Insights
- Ethan Nwaneri missed a penalty in Marseille’s shootout defeat to Toulouse.
- Habib Beye defended the decision to include him among the takers.
- Marseille were eliminated from the Coupe de France after a 4-3 shootout loss.
- Nwaneri scored on his debut but has faced a difficult period since.
- The Marseille coach praised the youngster’s willingness to take responsibility.
What’s Next?
Marseille must now refocus on their domestic league campaign after their exit from the Coupe de France.
For Nwaneri, the coming weeks will provide further opportunities to gain experience and rebuild confidence following the penalty miss.
Arsenal will also continue monitoring the teenager’s development closely as his loan spell in France progresses.
Should Marseille continue trusting Ethan Nwaneri with major responsibilities during his loan spell?
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