William Saliba Reportedly Stopped Watching Marseille Matches Over Ethan Nwaneri’s Treatment During Loan Spell

William Saliba’s strong personal ties to Marseille have reportedly been strained following the French club’s treatment of Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri during the Nigerian-born midfielder’s loan spell at the Stade Vélodrome earlier this season.

According to a report cited by Pulse Sports, originating from French outlet La Provence, a source close to the 25-year-old Arsenal defender claims Saliba became so frustrated with Nwaneri’s dwindling role at the club that he stopped watching Marseille’s matches altogether.

Saliba himself completed a formative loan stint at Marseille earlier in his career, an experience that left him with a deep affinity for the southern French club. When Nwaneri’s winter move to Marseille was being considered, it was reportedly Saliba who actively advocated for the transfer, drawing on his own positive memories of the club and describing it to his young teammate as a special environment with a remarkable stadium atmosphere.

Nwaneri’s loan began promisingly. The highly-rated midfielder, who qualifies to represent Nigeria internationally, made an immediate impression by scoring on his debut against Lens in January. The goal signalled what appeared to be the start of a productive temporary spell in Ligue 1 for one of English football’s most talked-about young talents.

However, according to reports, Nwaneri’s involvement under Marseille’s coaching staff diminished significantly as the season progressed. In the final weeks of the domestic campaign — a particularly critical period for any club chasing a European qualification place — the teenager was reportedly left out of matchday squads on multiple occasions, effectively sidelining him during the most competitive phase of the season.

For Saliba, who had personally vouched for the club and encouraged his Arsenal colleague to make the move, watching the situation unfold is said to have been a source of considerable disappointment. Sources suggest the defender’s frustration stemmed not only from concern for Nwaneri’s development but also from having built up expectations for the loan that ultimately went unmet.

Nwaneri, who was born to Nigerian parents, has been one of the most talked-about academy graduates at Arsenal in recent years. His progression through the club’s youth system attracted widespread attention, and the loan to Marseille was widely viewed as a key step in his development at senior level. The decision to curtail his involvement at such a pivotal stage of the campaign raises questions about how the loan arrangement was managed by the French side.

Arsenal have invested significantly in Nwaneri’s development, and loan moves of this nature are typically structured to ensure regular playing time for young players. It remains to be seen how the club will approach his development plans ahead of next season, with the midfielder’s long-term future at the Emirates likely to hinge on the first-team opportunities made available to him either at Arsenal or via further loan arrangements.