Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed suggestions he regrets sending Ethan Nwaneri on loan to Olympique Marseille.
The Gunners have been dealt a significant midfield blow, with Mikel Merino ruled out for the remainder of the season and Kai Havertz sidelined for a month.
When asked whether he now regrets allowing Nwaneri to leave in January, Arteta stressed that the decision must be judged in its original context.
“It’s easy to say in hindsight. When the decision was made, no one could have predicted that Mikel would be out for five months and the same with Kai,” he said.
Arteta underlined that the club acted based on the circumstances at the time.
“It is unfortunate, but ultimately we have to make the decisions based on the situation here and now, with an understanding of the context we are in, and what is best for the club and for Ethan,” he added.
The Arsenal boss also maintained that the move was beneficial for the teenager’s development.
“For him, it was clearly the right decision to go out, experience a different environment, get regular minutes and prepare to return to us.”
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