Steven Gerrard thinks Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has just pulled off a transfer masterstroke

Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has spoken about Arsenal's latest transfer decision and believes Mikel Arteta has made the correct move for the future of the Gunners

Steven Gerrard has lauded the decision to send Ethan Nwaneri on loan to Marseille. The Liverpool legend reckons it is a wise move from Mikel Arteta to take a hit on his squad depth to allow the young midfielder to work with Roberto De Zerbi.

Nwaneri has already been pictured holding a scarf of Les Olympiens as he arrived on Wednesday to finalise his loan deal. The youngest ever Premier League player has struggled for minutes this term after having a significant impact last term when Bukayo Saka was injured.

The 18-year-old will hope to quickly add to his six Premier League outings in France and Gerrard believes it is a fantastic decision. The ex-Rangers and Aston Villa boss believes it is a loan move that will benefit all of the parties involved.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Gerrard said: “I love it, I love it. I think, if this works that everyone can be a winner from it.

"I think Mikel Arteta has been extremely clever here because he’s sending him to De Zerbi as well who has got a track record for improving players, and he will give him the time and education and development and he’ll get more game time playing for Marseille.

"If he gets, samples the league, samples the experiences like tonight it’s not going to do him any harm. He’s a top talent, and now he’s got to go and get experience and this will be great for him for the future.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

“I think from a selfish point of view, he (Arteta) probably wanted to keep him around the squad. If you’re going for the Premier League and the Champions League and the quadruple, if you like, you want as many options as you can get from a selfish point of view.

"But there’s got to be a part of you where you think about the player and where he’s going to be in the next three or four years, and if he’s going to be a top player for Arsenal, the best thing for him is to play games.

"Give him different experiences, go and test him in France, test him around Europe and hopefully in six months or if he extends it then he comes back with more games under his belt and more experience and he’s a better player. But without a doubt, De Zerbi will make him a better player.”

Nwaneri is said to have given his approval to the move too. "William Saliba told me OM is one of the best clubs in the world."

The youngster is also reported to have praised his boss to be. "Roberto De Zerbi is also one of the best coaches in the world," he said.