Highly-rated Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri has joined Marseille on loan until the end of the season, both clubs have announced.

After a breakout season at the Emirates last term, the 18-year-old has struggled for first-team action this season making 12 appearances in all competitions without starting a Premier League game.

Sources have told ESPN that there is no obligation to make the move permanent with Nwaneri seen as a big part of Arsenal’s long-term plans.

And speaking on Friday, boss Mikel Arteta stressed the importance of not stalling Nwaneri’s development, something this loan move will help with.

“The talented young players that we have need minutes, and Ethan wasn’t getting enough minutes,” Arteta told a news conference.

“The last thing we want to do is cut his development because he’s such a talent. He lives and breathes football. That’s his life.

“The first thing is excitement because you speak to the manager, he’s very keen on you, and you’re going to start a lot of games, and that’s all very good. But then you have to go: ‘Okay, pack your bags, here are the flight tickets to Marseille.’

“And then there is the fear and the insecurity of getting out of a place that has been really comfortable for him [Nwaneri].

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“At the end you have to be thrown to the sharks in an incredible football atmosphere, and it’s going to make him so good.”

After William Saliba‘s successful loan spell in Marseille, Arteta was sure to detail how the surrounding factors are all in Nwaneri’s favour in Ligue 1.

“Having all the options, and understanding the experience that we had in Marseille with William [Saliba], and the fact that Roberto [De Zerbi] is there, who is an incredible developer of young talent and the courageous way he plays, means it is going to be a great experience for Ethan,” he said.

Arsenal head into this weekend’s round of fixtures seven points clear at the top as they chase their first Premier League title in 22 years while Marseille sit third in Ligue 1 as they look to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League in midweek.

Information from ESPN’s James Olley and PA contributed to this report.