Marseille Boss Defends Arsenal Starlet Ethan Nwaneri After Painful Penalty Miss

Marseille boss Habib Beye has come under Ethan Nwaneri defence after the Arsenal youngster misses decisive penalty in Coupe de France shootout loss to Toulouse.

Marseille manager Habib Beye defended Ethan Nwaneri after the Arsenal youngster’s penalty miss ended the club’s Coupe de France hopes on Wednesday night. Ethan Nwaneri defence came after the 18-year-old stepped up to take Marseille’s final penalty kick during a dramatic shootout against Toulouse at the Stade Vélodrome.

With the tie locked at 2-2 after 90 minutes, Nwaneri needed to score to keep the contest alive — but his effort sailed over the bar, handing Toulouse a 4-3 victory on penalties.

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The miss left the young midfielder visibly devastated, though his manager quickly moved to support him publicly.

The match itself proved chaotic from the opening minutes.

Mason Greenwood gave Marseille an early lead from the penalty spot inside two minutes. Toulouse responded through Yann Gboho before Igor Paixão restored Marseille’s advantage.

However, Charlie Cresswell’s equaliser ensured the match finished level at 2-2, forcing penalties in front of a tense home crowd.

Nwaneri, introduced during the second half, was selected as Marseille’s fifth taker — the kick required to push the shootout into sudden death.

Instead, his strike flew high over the crossbar.

Beye Praises Nwaneri’s Courage

Despite the costly miss, Beye insisted the young midfielder deserved praise rather than criticism.

“That’s a story for another time,” the Marseille boss said when asked about the penalty order.

“What I like is the personality of a player who decides to go for it. When we discussed it, we were very clear about the shooting order.”

Beye emphasised that stepping forward in such moments requires bravery, particularly for a teenager still adjusting to top-level pressure.

Some supporters questioned why an 18-year-old was entrusted with such a decisive moment.

Beye explained that the penalty order had already been agreed before the shootout began.

He also revealed that other potential takers were unavailable due to physical issues. Igor Paixão, for example, had already been substituted because of cramps and fatigue.

“It’s simply about taking responsibility,” Beye said.

“I never judge a player who misses a penalty. You must first have the courage to step up.”

Arsenal Watching Nwaneri’s Development Closely

The Arsenal academy graduate joined Marseille on loan in January and has already shown flashes of quality during his spell in France.

However, his development has unfolded during a turbulent period for the club. Former manager Roberto De Zerbi left earlier in the season, leaving Beye to guide the squad through a challenging campaign.

While the penalty miss proved painful, Beye believes the experience will ultimately help the teenager grow.

For Arsenal, the moment represents another step in Nwaneri’s learning curve as he continues his development away from north London.

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