Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed suggestions that the club made an error by loaning teenage midfielder Ethan Nwaneri to Marseille, despite a growing injury crisis that has left the North London side short of options in midfield.

The debate has intensified following a series of setbacks for Arsenal, with key players sidelined for prolonged periods.

Midfielder Mikel Merino is expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a serious foot injury, while Kai Havertz is facing several more weeks out due to a muscle problem.

Club captain Martin Ødegaard has only recently returned after his own spell on the sidelines, limiting Arteta’s rotation options during a demanding run of fixtures.

With Arsenal competing across multiple fronts, questions have been raised over whether Nwaneri’s presence could have provided valuable cover. Arteta, however, was clear that hindsight should not dictate decision-making.

Responding to the criticism, he was quoted as saying by the BBC: “That’s easy to say. After making the decision, who could have predicted that Mikel was going to be out for five months and Kai?”

The Arsenal boss stressed that the loan move was made with both the club’s and the player’s long-term interests in mind.

“It’s unfortunate, at the end we have to make the decisions on the moment, understanding the context there, and the best decision for the club, for Ethan, for sure it was for him to go and experience a different environment, have minutes played, and getting ready to come back to us,” Arteta added.

Nwaneri, a product of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, had made 12 appearances before joining Marseille.

The loan was designed to secure regular top-flight football, accelerating his development.

Despite mixed performances in Ligue 1, including a goal on his debut, Arteta remains confident the experience will ultimately benefit both player and club, even amid Arsenal’s current midfield shortages.

Wale Adejumo