In the middle of another international week, I thought I would have a little look at how Arsenal loanees are doing whilst enjoying my cup of coffee in the Suffolk sunshine!
Kieran Tierney
The Scotsman has got himself a handful of starts (although yet to play 90 minutes) on loan for Real Sociedad. Then he injured his hamstring which rules him out for at least a month.
Albert Sambi Lokonga
The Belgium midfielder followed up last years spell at Crystal Palace with a season loan loan at Luton Town. It was hoped that this would put him in the shop window for a move to a mid-lower Premier League side next summer.
Two games in and he picked up a hamstring injury which will rule him out until the New Year.
After falling out of favour at Palace as their form took an up-turn, you have to wonder where Lokonga’s career is going to go if he does not return to fitness and play consistently for Luton in the 2nd half of the season.
Nuno Tavares
At the time, I felt the move to Nottingham Forest was an odd one.
They still have a large squad (30 listed) and have another 11 first team players out on loan. It just felt like a move that was never going to end up with him playing much, or Nottingham Forest signing him permanently next summer.
He was forced off at half-time against Manchester City “injured” having put in a nightmare performance and has not been seen again…
Marquinhos
Often the forgotten man when it comes to discussions on Bukayo Saka’s understudy, the Brazilian has not really had a kick whilst on loan at Nantes, staring just a single game in Ligue 1 and playing a grand total of 88 minutes.
He will not be playing much more football for them anytime soon having decided to accept a call-up for Brazil’s U22 team at the forthcoming Pan American games.
The “Americas Commonwealth Games” runs from 20 October to 5 November 2023 in Chile and Marquinhos has already missed 1 game for Nantes due to his call-up.
With 1 assist and 0 goals, you have to wonder how his decision will affect Nantes willingness to play him on his return.
Football moves forward very quickly, and with Arsenal having an abundance of young wingers, Marquinhos will have to begin impressing sooner rather than later.
Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson
Does anyone really care how the Icelandic keeper is doing? It is not like him putting in good performances will see a return to Arsenal as 2nd or 3rd choice, nor will we ever likely raise enough to buy a second hand car with his transfer fee.
He has played just once out of 9 games for Cardiff City, conceeding 3 in the game. He has been on the bench for the other 8 games.
Arthur Okonkwko
The decision was made that Karl Hein would remain as Mikel Arteta’s 3rd choice keeper whilst Arthur Okonkwo. The 22-year-old is probably now playing to show where in the football pyramid his permanent move away will be next summer.
On-loan at League Two Wrexham, he has kept 2 clean sheets in his 3 starts.
Will probably end up having a career like former Arsenal prospect James Shea.
Charlie Patino
The “will he go won’t he go” was put to bed last sumemr when Arsenal activated a clause in his contract extending it until 2025. That gave the club, a player, a further year to assess where he fits in.
Patino was apparently keen to make a permanent move last summer to play regular top tier football (in England or Germany), but an offer never materialised. In the end, the contract extension was probably best for both parties.
Still only 19, Patino has seen national compatriots and former team mates Jude Bellingham,Jamal Musiala and Yunus Musah make a move abroad and excel.
He is currently playing regularly for mid-table Championship team Swansea City, regaining the form that made him a fan favourite early on in his Blackpool spell.
That loan at Blackpool deteriorated as they hurtled towards relegation, and Patino’s form dropped as a consequence. The hope will be Swansea remain stable and he can push on.
Next summer, Arsenal will likely lose Mohamed Elneny and Jorginho on free transfers. If he plays well, he could provide Arteta a free replacement – providing 3rd choice cover to Decland Rice and Thomas Partey whilst also being an option further forward.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy
Now on his 4th loan deal, the 19-year-old is a victim of Arteta’s tactical change.
18-months ago, he was considered one of the brightest young prospects in the academy. A traditional attacking full-back with pace and power, he looked to have a bright future. Then Arteta switched to inverted full-backs and the feeling is Brooke Norton-Cuffy is now behind Reull Walters.
He is following up his good 6 months in the Championship at Coventry City with more solid performances in the Championship with Millwall.
The Championship is probably his level right now if he wants to play regular football, but you can certainly see him getting a Premier League move if he continues to grow.
Mika Biereth
Arsenal poached London-born Danish youth international Mika Biereth from Fulham after he topped top scored in the Under-18 Premier League South, with 21 goals and 13 assists. His career has gone no-where since.
Now on-loan at Motherwell (she is,thanks), a knee injury has limited him to just 1 substitute appearance in 8 games. He did get a goal and assist in that 35 minute cameo though!
Tyreece John-Jules
Forgot he was still at the club. Turns 23 in February. On-loan at Derby. Not been seen for 6 weeks due to a thigh injury.
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand – Just 8 minutes for Groningen.
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji – Found his level in League One for Cheltenham Town.
Catalin Cirjan – Rebuilding his career back in Romania following injury issues.
Omar Rekik – One of Wigan’s worst players. And they are awful.
Kido Taylor-Hart – Barely getting a sniff for Bromley
Mauro Bandeira – A few substitute appearances for Colchester United
In summary, Lokonga and Tavares stock has dropped further, whilst Tierney’s injury problems will be a worry for any buying club. Marquinhos needs to start playing regularly.
As for the younger ones, no one is really ripping it up on loan or showing that Arteta should have given them a chance in the first team squad.
Norton-Cuffy is clearly a good player who might have just found his level. Patino needs to start dominanting games if he wants the regular Premier League football he demands.
Enjoy your Sunday….
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 