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Ethan Nwaneri has enjoyed an impressive start to his loan spell at Marseille, with his current club preparing for a vital French Cup clash against Rennes. The Arsenal youngster will once again be looking to impress and could show his quality should he come up against incoming Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet.

Mikel Arteta opted to loan out the talented Nwaneri in January as first-team opportunities became scarce. French outfit Marseille came forward and the 18-year-old will stay there until the season's end.

Nwaneri has confirmed he'll return to the Emirates in the summer and he made the perfect start by netting on his debut against fellow Ligue 1 contenders Lens. His second outing came against Paris FC and he watched his team draw 2-2 after being withdrawn in the second half.

Marseille's upcoming fixture is a cup encounter with Rennes and with Nwaneri tipped to start, or at least feature in the match, he could go head-to-head with Jacquet, who is Liverpool-bound. Arsenal's gifted loanee could deliver a statement with his display.

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

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

Jacquet underwent his Liverpool medical in England on deadline day and his manager Habib Beye confirmed he didn't train with the squad 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' clash against Marseille. 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 pitch, 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 stunning 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, explaining 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."

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