Arsenal have agreed a deal for Ethan Nwaneri to join Marseille on loan until the end of the season.
The 18-year-old has had limited first-team involvement this season, making no starts in the Premier League and playing just 166 minutes.
Arsenal had previously planned to keep Nwaneri at the club this season, with Mikel Arteta keen to have as strong a squad as possible as the Gunners continue to challenge in all four competitions.
But that stance has changed and a loan move until the end of the season has been agreed. There is no option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
There is a feeling more regular first-team football would benefit all parties.
Marseille’s style of play under Roberto De Zerbi is an appealing factor for Arsenal as they consider what is best for Nwaneri's development.
Nwaneri remains a key part of the club's long-term plans and any deal would not include a buy option or any sort of agreement for the move to be made permanent.
Nwaneri has not even made the squad for Arsenal's last four league matches and he has not featured in the title push since coming off the bench against Tottenham in November.
He did start against Portsmouth in the FA Cup this month, but then was not included in the squad three days later for the Carabao Cup semi-final with Chelsea.
