Could Arsenal Recall Ethan Nwaneri Already?! Gunners’ Transfer Plan Revealed After Losing Mikel Merino to Serious Injury

Arsenal Face Ethan Nwaneri Dilemma as Mikel Merino Injury Forces Transfer Rethink

Arsenal did not expect to be asking this question so soon, but football has a habit of turning careful plans upside down. Could Arsenal recall Ethan Nwaneri already?! It is a line many Gunners supporters have found themselves repeating in recent days, especially after confirmation that Mikel Merino has suffered a serious injury that will keep him sidelined for a significant period.

Merino’s absence has come at the worst possible time. With the season entering a decisive phase across multiple competitions, Mikel Arteta suddenly finds himself one midfield option short. That reality has inevitably dragged Nwaneri’s name back into the conversation, only weeks after the highly-rated teenager left north London on loan to Marseille in search of regular football.

In hindsight, Arsenal may be quietly regretting the timing of that decision. But as things stand, the Gunners’ hands are tied — and the transfer plan they carefully put together now looks far less comfortable than it did just a month ago.

Ethan Nwaneri’s Loan Move: A Calculated Gamble by Arsenal

When Arsenal allowed Ethan Nwaneri to leave on loan in January, the logic was clear and widely supported. The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest products of Hale End in recent years, but opportunities had been limited. Arsenal are chasing trophies on multiple fronts, and Arteta has relied heavily on a core group of trusted, experienced players.

For a young midfielder still learning the rhythms of senior football, minutes were going to be hard to come by.

Rather than let his development stall, Arsenal sanctioned a temporary move to Marseille — a club with a strong track record of giving young players responsibility, and a manager in Roberto De Zerbi known for his bravery in trusting youth.

At the time, it felt like a smart, patient decision. Now, with Merino injured, it suddenly feels like a risk.

Nwaneri Finding His Feet in Marseille

From Nwaneri’s perspective, the move has already shown signs of paying off. He did not take long to announce himself in Ligue 1, scoring just 13 minutes into his debut against Lens. It was a composed finish, delivered with the kind of confidence that has made Arsenal staff so excited about his future.

That goal helped Marseille secure a 3-1 victory and instantly endeared the teenager to the local supporters. He followed that up with another appearance in a 2-2 draw against Paris FC, gaining valuable minutes and experience in a demanding environment.

Importantly, Nwaneri is not just training with Marseille — he is playing. That was the entire point of the move.

The England Under-21 international knows that these months in France could shape the trajectory of his career, and early signs suggest he is embracing the challenge.

Roberto De Zerbi’s Role in Nwaneri’s Development

There was a brief moment of uncertainty when Marseille’s Champions League campaign ended in disappointment. The club narrowly missed out on progression to the knockout phase playoffs, and reports emerged suggesting Roberto De Zerbi had even offered his resignation.

For Nwaneri, that would have been an unwelcome twist. De Zerbi was a major reason the youngster agreed to the move in the first place.

Fortunately for all involved, the Italian has since confirmed he will remain in charge. His decision was met with relief in Marseille — and particularly by Nwaneri, who is keen to learn under a manager renowned for developing technically gifted midfielders.

With De Zerbi staying put, Nwaneri is expected to see out the entire 2025-26 campaign in Ligue 1, gaining the consistent exposure Arsenal felt he desperately needed.

FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-MARSEILLE-LENS

No Recall Clause: Why Arsenal Cannot Bring Nwaneri Back

As Merino’s injury news filtered through, speculation quickly gathered pace around a potential recall. After all, Nwaneri only joined Marseille on January 23. In theory, a quick U-turn at the start of February did not seem impossible.

In reality, it is not an option.

According to reports from football.london, Nwaneri’s loan agreement contains no break clause. That means Arsenal have no contractual right to recall him midway through the deal, regardless of injuries or squad shortages.

The timing makes the situation particularly awkward. Nwaneri is due to be officially presented as a Marseille player on February 2, just as the winter transfer window slams shut. Once that moment passes, any lingering hope of an early return will disappear entirely.

For better or worse, Arsenal must now live with the decision they made.

Why Arteta Sanctioned the Move in the First Place

Mikel Arteta has never been shy about explaining his thinking when it comes to young players. Speaking openly about Nwaneri’s loan, the Arsenal manager made it clear that development — not short-term convenience — was the priority.

“I think the talented young players that we have need minutes,” Arteta said. “And in this case, Ethan wasn’t having enough minutes, and the last thing that we want is to cut his development because he’s such a talent and someone who lives and breathes football; that’s his life.”

Arteta revealed that the decision was made after extensive discussions involving Nwaneri, his family, his representatives and the club.

Marseille, in Arsenal’s view, ticked every box.

There was familiarity with the environment — thanks in part to William Saliba’s successful spell there — and trust in De Zerbi’s ability to nurture young talent. The style of play, the competitive nature of Ligue 1 and the expectation placed on young players all made it an appealing destination.

From a long-term perspective, Arsenal still believe it will prove to be the right call.

Mikel Merino Injury Changes the Context

None of that, however, softens the immediate blow of losing Mikel Merino. The Spanish midfielder is set to undergo surgery on a broken foot, an injury that removes an experienced and reliable option from Arteta’s rotation.

With Arsenal competing in the Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup, squad depth is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity.

Merino’s injury forces Arteta to reshuffle his midfield plans, lean more heavily on existing options, or explore the market for cover. Had Nwaneri still been at the club, there is little doubt he would now be part of those conversations.

That reality has inevitably led to questions about whether Arsenal may come to regret letting him go.

Warnings from Jeremie Aliadiere

Former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere understands that fear all too well. Speaking to The Mirror, the Frenchman admitted he hopes the club does not look back at this decision with regret.

“I hope we won’t be regretting it as Arsenal fans by the end of the season,” Aliadiere said. “Thinking, ‘Oh my God, if we had kept Ethan we might have gone over the line and ended up doing more and winning more trophies’.”

Aliadiere knows what it is like to be pushed aside at Arsenal due to fierce competition, and his comments reflect a wider concern among supporters: that the margins between success and disappointment are so fine, even one missing option can make a difference.

Deadline Day Drama? Arsenal’s Transfer Options

FBL-ENG-PR-LEEDS-ARSENAL

With Nwaneri unavailable and Merino sidelined, Arsenal have been linked with potential midfield reinforcements ahead of the next transfer deadline. The rumour mill has even thrown up surprise links to Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali.

At present, those suggestions appear to be wide of the mark. Reports indicate no approach has been made, and Tonali is expected to remain at St James’ Park.

Still, it underlines the pressure Arsenal are under. Arteta must decide whether to trust his existing squad through a gruelling run of fixtures, or push the club into action in the market.

A Decision That Will Be Judged in May

For now, Ethan Nwaneri remains in Marseille, focused on his development and gaining the minutes Arsenal believe he needs. The Gunners, meanwhile, must navigate a demanding season without him — and without Merino.

Whether this loan proves to be a masterstroke or a moment of costly mistiming will only be clear at the end of the campaign. If Arsenal lift silverware, few will question the decision. If they fall just short, the question may linger all summer.

Could Arsenal recall Ethan Nwaneri already?!
The answer, frustratingly for Arteta and Arsenal fans alike, is no.

All that remains is to see whether the long-term vision outweighs the short-term pain.