Arsenal news: Ethan Nwaneri plan blown apart as Gunners star is singled out

Mikel Arteta has a chance of securing a third successive league victory when his side travel to Brentford on Thursday

Arsenal travel to Brentford on Thursday evening aiming to maintain momentum in their quest for the Premier League title. The Gunners won the reverse match 2-0 in early December but the two scorers that evening are both out of action.

Mikel Merino scored the first goal that day, but a broken foot is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season. His compatriot Bukayo Saka will likely be back sooner after picking up an injury in the warm-up before Arsenal beat Leeds at the end of January, but he is still a little away from a return.

Next up for Mikel Arteta’s side after the derby is a home game against Wigan in the FA Cup. This is followed by two away league games against Wolves and Tottenham before March kicks off at home to Chelsea.

In the meantime, there has been a lot to digest off the field. Here is Mirror footballthe last lines of around the Emirates Stadium.

Make sure our latest sports headlines always appear at the top of your Google search by making us a preferred source. Click here to enable us or add us as a preferred source in your Google search settings

LEARN MORE: Annoyed Tottenham players wanted Thomas Frank to ‘shut up about Arsenal’LEARN MORE: Mikel Arteta shows his true colors in response to Thomas Frank’s sacking at Tottenham

The Nwaneri plan dealt a blow

It took less than a month for Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri’s project to go up in smoke. The England Under-21 international was loaned to Marseille with the aim of playing top-level football under Roberto De Zerbi, only for the Italian manager to leave the club by mutual consent.

“Olympique de Marseille and Roberto De Zerbi, coach of the first team, have announced the end of their collaboration by mutual agreement,” the club said in a press release. “Following discussions between all stakeholders in the management of the club – the owner, the president, the director of football and the coach – it was decided to make a change at the helm of the first team.

“This is a difficult collective decision, taken after careful consideration in the interest of the club, in order to respond to the sporting challenges of this end of season. Olympique de Marseille would like to thank Roberto De Zerbi for his dedication, his commitment, his professionalism and his seriousness, particularly evident during the team’s second place during the 2024/25 season. The club wishes him the best for the rest of his career.”

Nwaneri scored one goal in three league matches under De Zerbi and also played once in the Coupe de France. With the arrival of a new manager and a dramatic early elimination from the Champions League, the player and his parent club will have to hope that things will work out despite the disruption.

Trossard singles out his teammate

Arsenal striker Leandro Trossard has singled out his colleague Christian Norgaard as someone who continues to set high standards on and off the pitch. Norgaard, who joined Brentford in the summer, could make only his fifth league appearance for the Gunners against his former club.

Norgaard has played less than 700 minutes this season, including a late appearance in last week’s win over Sunderland. He has started three times in the Champions League but has not yet managed to start in the league, which does not stop Trossard from singing his praises.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

“I would say Christian Norgaard is a good example of that,” Trossard told the Premier League Show when asked which of his colleagues had raised the bar. “Because he always wants to set higher standards for himself on and off the field, and I think he’s a very good pro.”

Arteta also praised Danish midfielder Norgaard after giving him a start against Club Brugge in the Champions League in December. “Christian Norgaard is a player who prepares probably the best of them, and he is someone who makes us all better every day,” he told TNT Sports. “He is ready to play in any position, in any condition, whether he plays more or less minutes, his attitude is always impeccable, and he is a very good example for all of us.”

Discounted Premier League and EFL package on Sky Sports

This post contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from them. Learn more

£43

£35

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports package ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, an increase of up to 100 more.