Ethan Nwaneri could make imminent £60m Premier League statement Arsenal won't be able to ignore

Arsenal prodigy Ethan Nwaneri has joined Marseille on loan and he could soon get the chance to send a message back to the Premier League

Ethan Nwaneri's Marseille side are gearing up for a crucial French Cup tie against Rennes. And the Arsenal starlet could make a statement should he clash with incoming Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet.

Mikel Arteta decided to send the promising Nwaneri out on loan in January as first-team minutes became increasingly limited. French side Marseille stepped forward and the 18-year-old will remain there until the end of the season.

Nwaneri himself has confirmed that he'll head back to the Emirates in the summer and he enjoyed the best possible start after scoring on his debut against fellow Ligue 1 contenders Lens. His second match came against Paris FC and he watched his side draw 2-2 after being substituted in the second half.

Marseille's next fixture is a cup clash against Rennes and with Nwaneri expected to start, or at least play a role in the tie, he could come face-to-face with Jacquet, who is bound for Liverpool. Arsenal's prodigious loanee could send a message with his performance.

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On deadline day, Liverpool confirmed they agreed a £60m deal in principle with Rennes for 20-year-old Jacquet. He is considered one of Europe's most promising young centre-backs.

The defender is set to join his new club in the summer and is expected to immediately become a pivotal part of Arne Slot's first team. But his featuring for Rennes against Marseille on Tuesday is not a guarantee.

Jacquet underwent his Liverpool medical in England on deadline day and his manager Habib Beye confirmed he didn't train with the team whilst his Reds deal was being finalised. Beye said on Monday: "He will not be here for training. We don't know if he can play tomorrow but we'll see depending on the situation."

Yet Jacquet has been included in the travelling squad for Rennes' match against Marseille and so it is likely he will be part of the starting XI unless his manager deems him unfit to feature from the off.

If Jacquet does start and Nwaneri manages to oppose him on the field, then the on-loan Arsenal star could send a message to a top-flight rival. The Frenchman is expected to be part of Liverpool's defence next season.

Nwaneri could put the youngster on notice with a sensational performance and give Arsenal boss Arteta a glimpse of what he can do against a top player whom Liverpool have snapped up so enthusiastically.

The 18-year-old spoke for the first time since his move to Marseille at a press conference, detailing why he said yes to the move. He said: "I think Marseille is a very big club. The coaches, the fans, the way they play, it's extraordinary.

"I think that's why I came. The experience, seeing a big club like this, learning as much as possible, and being able to really add that to my skill set at the end of the season.

"When I came here, obviously I wasn't yet 100 per cent fit, but I'm working on it. I've also spoken with the staff and I think I'll be able to play more and more. I felt good during the last match. That's normal, of course, it's a process. There haven't been any injuries, so I feel good."