Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal title push continues at Brentford tonight but the Spaniard has been dealt an unexpected headache with teenage loanee Ethan Nwaneri caught up in chaos at Marseille just weeks into his temporary switch.
The 19 year old joined the French giants in January to get minutes under Roberto De Zerbi. Instead, he’s now got no manager at all. Marseille confirmed Wednesday that De Zerbi has left “by mutual agreement”, leaving Nwaneri’s development path suddenly shrouded in uncertainty.
It’s a proper blow for a kid who’d started brightly, with one goal in three Ligue 1 outings and a taste of Coupe de France action. Arsenal sent him there for stability and a specific style of coaching. Now they’ve got neither, with Marseille also crashing out the Champions League early. The Gunners will be watching nervously from afar.
Trossard Names Unsung Hero
Ahead of tonight’s tricky trip to west London, Leandro Trossard was asked which team mate sets the standards behind the scenes. His answer? Christian Norgaard the summer signing from, yep, Brentford.
“I would say Christian Norgaard is a good example of that,” Trossard told The Premier League Show. “Because he always wants to set a higher standard for himself on and off the pitch, and I think he’s a very good pro.”
Norgaard’s barely had a kick in the league 32 minutes, four sub appearances but Arteta clearly values him. The boss called him “the best prepared” in the squad after chucking him into a Champions League start back in December.
“He’s willing to play in any position, any condition, whether he plays more or less minutes, his attitude is always immaculate,” Arteta said then.
Tonight, against his old club, Norgaard might just get a rare runout. And you suspect he’ll be ready.
Team News: Saka Still Short
Arteta’s walking a selection tightrope. The reverse fixture in December was settled by Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka both crocked now. Merino’s done for the season after foot surgery, while Saka’s working back from that weird warm up injury against Leeds but this one comes too soon.
Still, Arsenal know three points here cranks the heat right up on City before they face Fulham. A win puts them three clear at least for 24 hours.
After tonight: Wigan in the FA Cup, then Wolves, Spurs, Chelsea. The run in’s coming thick and fast. Arteta needs everyone rowing in the same direction.
Even the ones stranded in Marseille
