Ethan Nwaneri marked a memorable beginning to his loan spell at Olympique Marseille on Saturday night, scoring early in his first appearance for the French club as they secured a 3–1 Ligue 1 victory over RC Lens at the Stade Vélodrome. The 18-year-old midfielder, who joined Marseille on loan from Arsenal, found the net just 13 minutes into his debut, instantly endearing himself to the Marseille fans and making headlines across Europe.
The goal came after a strong start for the home side. Marseille took the lead through a deflected effort by Amine Gouiri in the early stages, and within minutes Nwaneri doubled their advantage. After picking up the ball just inside his own half, the England under-21 international drove forward with confidence, cutting inside before unleashing a precise strike from around 20 metres that flew into the bottom corner. His clinical finish showcased both technical ability and fearless intent on his very first outing in Ligue 1.
Nwaneri’s scoring debut was a pivotal moment in the match, giving Marseille control and momentum against a strong Lens side that had been enjoying an impressive run of form. The win snapped Lens’ eight-match winning streak and kept Marseille firmly in the mix for European qualification spots. Later in the game, Gouiri added a second goal for Marseille before Lens grabbed a consolation through substitute Rayan Fofana, ensuring the final scoreline read 3–1.
The move to Marseille represents an important step in Nwaneri’s development. After progressing through Arsenal’s renowned Hale End academy and breaking into the first team as a 15-year-old — becoming the youngest ever player to appear in the Premier League — Nwaneri enjoyed a breakthrough 2024–25 season with 37 appearances and nine goals for Arsenal. However, this season he found first-team minutes harder to come by, partly due to the arrivals of more experienced attacking players at the London club.
Seeking regular playing time, Nwaneri joined Marseille on loan until the end of the season. The deal offers him the chance to experience a different league and test himself in a new environment under manager Roberto De Zerbi, known for his attractive and attacking style of play. De Zerbi’s decision to start Nwaneri immediately paid off, and the teenager was substituted in the 58th minute, having already made his mark on the game.
French media and fans were quick to praise Nwaneri’s impact, with many outlets naming him Man of the Match and highlighting how his early goal helped secure the win in a fixture watched closely by supporters of both clubs. The atmosphere at the Velodrome was electric, and there was a clear sense of excitement among Marseille fans at witnessing such a promising performance from a young loanee.
For Arsenal supporters, the debut goal is also a proud moment. Many have taken to social media to celebrate his first strike in France and express hope that the loan spell will provide the regular minutes needed to help him continue his development and return even stronger next season.
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In summary: Nwaneri’s debut goal for Marseille was not just a personal milestone – it was a statement performance in a key Ligue 1 match. By scoring early and helping the team win, the 18-year-old has laid down a marker for his loan spell and set high expectations for the remainder of the season.
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