Arsenal may have the two biggest matches of their season on the horizon as they bid to earn their first Premier League title in two decades, but for many of their players the campaign is already over.
While the Gunners are still on a mission of proving themselves worthy of toppling Manchester City, a plethora of young stars have plied their trade across Europe and beyond looking to earn themselves a place in north London this summer. Some are simply just trying to take their first steps in senior, professional football and Arsenal had no shortage of loanees looking to prove themselves.
As it so often does, testing the waters outside of academy football can bring about it's difficulties and many of the Gunners prospects have endured difficult times. Others have flourished and may even be of transfer interest this summer if not that of Mikel Arteta. Mirror Football takes a look at how Arsenal's loanees have got on below...
Marquinhos
The Brazilian first went on loan to Nantes in Ligue 1 and struggled to make an impression and thus made a further move in January. The 21-year-old moved to Fluminense and has proven to be a regular since and he has scored twice in four Copa Libertadores matches. Marquinhos will remain in his native country until January 2025 on loan.
Kieran Tierney
The defender moved to Real Sociedad on loan last summer and despite showing flurries of his quality has struggled with injury. The Scotland international recognised he could be set to depart Arsenal this summer but has not ruled out stay. "So if I go back and it’s the same as before then I’m not silly, I know the chances are I’ll be leaving," he said in a recent interview.
Premier League odds and betting tips
PAMPLONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 17: Kieran Tierney of Real Sociedad looks on during the Copa Del Rey Round of 16 match between CA Osasuna and Real Sociedad at Estadio El Sadar on January 17, 2024 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)Albert Sambi Lokonga
The midfielder has become a Premier League regular at Luton Town. Injuries perhaps hampered his early progress but the Belgian has proved important in the centre of the field. The 24-year-old's goal against West Ham could not prevent a defeat which all but certified Luton's relegation.
Arthur Okonkwo
One of the stars of Arsenal's loan players, the young goalkeeper presided over Wrexham's net on the way to winning promotion from League 2. The 22-year-old kept 14 clean sheets and allowed 30 goals from 36 appearances. The 22-year-old's contract is currently set to expire with the Welsh side keen to tie him down. “Obviously we’re keen to keep Arthur and we’re working on that,” boss Phil Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales. "It could take time but there’s one thing for sure, we’ll give it everything that we’ve got to keep Arthur at the club."
Nuno Tavares
The full back has made just 12 appearances for Nottingham Forest this term and done little to convince the Gunners he could break into their side.
Catalin Cirjan
The Romanian midfielder has spent the season on loan with Rapid București and made 19 appearances. The 21-year-old has only seen the bench in recent weeks outside of a 10-minute outing in a loss to Cluj.
Mauro Bandeira
Mauro Bandeira endured a difficult loan at Colchester United under a number of managers. The midfielder made nine appearances for the League Two side but was recalled to the Gunners in January when opportunities became limited. The 20-year-old was twice named on Arsenal's bench in February.
Billy Vigar
Another palyer set to see their contract end this summer, Vigar scored twice in 32 matches for National League South side Eastbourne Borough.
Hubert Graczyk
The goalkeeper endured a very brief time away from the club at Slough Town. The stopper conceded eight goals in his four matches and lost three of them before Arsenal recalled him after the National League South side signed another keeper.
Mike Biereth
The Dane spent the first part of the season on loan at Motherwell and delivered six goals and five assists in 14 appearances before making the switch to Sturm Graz. Things continued to go well as the youngster bagged five goals and two assists in the Bundesliga and added three more goals in four Europa Conference League outings.
“I have a year left on my contract, so when I come back in the summer I will still be an Arsenal player. It’s just about getting back and seeing if I can impress the boss,” said Biereth last month. Arsenal refused an offer for a permanent move in January.
Biereth impressed on loan at Motherwell in the first half of the season (PA Wire/PA Images)Charlie Patino
The 20-year-old midfielder is widely expected to leave this summer after finishing his loan spell with Swansea. The start he made on the final day of the Championship season was his first since January. Patino still made 35 appearances and has been linked to Juventus and Roma.
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow
Brook Norton-Cuffy
The talented 20-year-old provided two goals and four assists in 40 appearances for Millwall but unfortunately saw his minutes tail off towards the end of the season. Norton Cuff struggled to get into the starting XI after the arrival of Neil Harris but is generally pleased with his season.
“There’s been a few ups-and-downs," he said in April. "I’ve played a lot of minutes and had a lot of starts and that’s been good. But I’ve had a few injuries and that’s slowed down my season a little bit. Overall it’s been a decent season personally and most games I’ve been fit, I’ve played some part in."
Tyreece John-Jules
It was a tough season for the 23-year-old striker. The academy product saw his initial loan until January disrupted by a thigh injury but a goalscoring return saw the Rams keen to extend the deal. Unfortunately another hamstring issue at the turn of the year ended his season.
Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand
The central midfielder moved on loan to Den Bosch in Netherlands second tier and despite long spells out of the squad has become a regular in their first XI as the season comes to a close. The ace has provided three goals in 19 appearances.
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji
The forward made 13 apperances from the bench for Cheltenham Town before being recalled midway through his loan to the League One side.
Alex Kirk
The central defender made his way into Bromley's first team in December and didn't look back on his way to helping them to promotion via the play-offs. Kirk made 22 appearances, including the play-off final where he came off the bench to play an hour in the penalty shootout win. Bromley boss and former Arsenal coach Andy Woodman hopes to extend the defender's stay. “Yeah (I’d like to bring him back). There will be a lot of discussions to be had between now and next week, so we will get on that next week," he said.
Kido Taylor-Hart
The forward had a more difficult time at Bromley than his teammate as he managed just one goal and nine appearances.
Henry Jeffcott
The verstalie defender spent the first part of the season on loan with Derby's under-21 side but saw his loan terminated with Arsenal having few options following the sale of Lino Sousa. Jeffcott struggled to earn minutes for the Gunners in Premier League 2 upon his return.
Omar Rekik
After spending the first half of the season at Wigan, Rekik was the victim of a disaster in the second half of the season. Arsenal agreed to loan the midfielder to Swiss side Servette, who then did not register him or two other signings to play in the league.
Khayon Edwards
Edwards joined Leyton Orient for the final months of the season but made just seven appearances after earning the move with seven goals in 11 Premier League 2 outings with the Gunners.
Zane Monlouis
Monlouis joined Reading in February but made just one appearance for the Royals.
Charles Sagoe Jr
The defender was able to make just two appearances after joining Swansea on loan in February. Swans boss Luke Williams told WalesOnline: "It's really tough. So tough. There's nothing easy about that situation for him. Or for me. It's just really difficult. There's too many players for everyone to be on the pitch. Too many players for everyone to be in the squad. Unfortunately, some people are going to miss out.
"His attitude has been first class. He's been absolutely first class. What the players in the derby are able to produce, it has directly a bearing on the attitude of the players who are not in front of the eyes of the fans. We cannot make this performance if we don't train in this way."
DON'T SCRAP REPLAYS!
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
