When Mikel Arteta sanctioned Ethan Nwaneri’s loan move to Marseille, he spoke in glowing terms about the 18-year old midfielder.

Nwaneri had struggled to break into the Arsenal first team for much of the ongoing season, with the Spanish manager preferring Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze for the creative number 10 slot.

On Saturday night, Nwaneri showed exactly what Arsenal will be missing for the next six months, as he took breaths away in a 58-minute display. It took him just 13 minutes to score his first goal for Marseille, sending the 67,000 strong crowd at the Stade Velodrome into delirium.

Nwaneri’s goal was a classic, but his underlying numbers were even more impressive.

The Spaniard played 58 minutes, during which he completed three dribbles, carried the ball dynamically at a cumulative distance of 101 meters and registered a 100 percent shot-on-target ratio.

Arsenal’s decision to send out Nwaneri on loan was not accidental. William Saliba, who is now considered among the best defenders in the world, enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Marseille. Under the courageous leadership of Roberto De Zerbi, Nwaneri is being touted for a similar leap.

The youngster is also capable of playing on the right-hand side, but Bukayo Saka’s return to full fitness, as well as Noni Madueke’s signing, made it difficult for him to get the minutes he would have envisaged.

"Ethan wasn’t having enough minutes, and the last thing we want is to cut his development," Arteta said to Arsenal.com before the move.

 "Roberto [De Zerbi] is an incredible developer of young talent."

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Arsenal did not enjoy the most ideal weekend following a shocking 3-2 loss to Manchester United. However, fans will have at least enjoyed Nwaneri’s dynamic ball-carrying threat and debut goal. Perhaps, he could have provided the kind of directness Arteta's side have missed this season.

Nwaneri was replaced by Mason Greenwood in the 58th minute, leaving the pitch to a standing ovation. If his debut is any indication, Marseille isn't just a learning curve —it's a launchpad to propel him into superstardom.