This season, Last Word on Sports will be keeping you up to date regarding the Arsenal players out on loan, as they continue to develop their skills and prove they are ready to compete for a place in the Arsenal side. There are currently twelve players out on loan from Arsenal.
The players away on loan are:
- Wojciech Szczęsny (GK), on loan to AS Roma in Serie A
- Carl Jenkinson (RB), on loan to West Ham United in the Premier League
- Yaya Sanogo (ST), on loan to Ajax in the Eredivisie
- Serge Gnabry (MID), on loan to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League
- Ainsley Maitland-Niles (MID), on loan to Ipswich Town in the Championship
- Isaac Hayden (CB/MID), on loan to Hull City in the Championship
- Chuba Akpom (ST), on loan to Hull City in the Championship
- Daniel Crowley (MID), on loan to Barnsley in League One
- Jon Toral (MID), on loan to Birmingham City in the Championship
- Emiliano Martínez (GK), on loan to Wolves in the Championship
- Wellington Silva (MID), on loan to Bolton in the Championship
- Gedion Zelalem (MID), on loan to Rangers in the Scottish Championship
It was a bit of a rough week for Arsenal loanees, with injuries, failure to get off the bench, and poor performances aplenty. The bright spot was Hull’s midweek win which saw a Chuba Akpom goal break his scoring drought in Hull’s win.
Wojciech Szczęsny started for Roma over the weekend in their 2-1 victory over Fiorentina. Szczęsny accomplished three saves as Roma picked up their fourth consecutive league victory to move to the top of the Serie A table. He was less than stellar in the midweek Champions League action, though, making five saves, but conceding four goals in a 4-4 draw with Leverkusen.
Carl Jenkinson played the full 90 minutes as West Ham continued their giant-killing ways, defeating Chelsea 2-1 over the weekend. It was a mixed day at the office for the Arsenal man on an otherwise fantastic day for his team. Jenkinson, who has had his share of ups and downs over the course of the season, and even within games, was mostly solid defensively but offered little going forward – a departure from recent form. The right-back completed just 61 per cent of his passes and attempted only a single cross. Defensively he was more adept, though, winning 67 per cent of his tackles to go with two interceptions and a clearance.
Yaya Sanogo did not feature for Ajax.
Serge Gnabry once again failed to appear for West Brom.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles enjoyed the full 90 minutes as Ipswich drew 1-1 against Nottingham Forest. It was a relatively quiet game from the midfielder offensively; perhaps even a poor showing, with Maitland-Niles completing just 59 per cent of his passes on the day. He was, however, nearly everywhere defensively, winning six tackles (and drawing fouls on another two attempts), to go with several other solid defensive performances. Maitland-Niles came on as a substitute at the half midweek in Ipswich’s 3-0 loss to Hull and was tidy in possession, but unable to turn things around for his side.
Isaac Hayden was an unused substitute for Hull City in their 2-0 win over Birmingham. Reports after the weekend suggested that Hayden may be recalled from his loan, with Arsenal concerned that he is not getting enough playing time at Hull.
Teammate Chuba Akpom, however, started and played 86 minutes for the victors, forcing two saves and one last-ditch block. Akpom was on the score-sheet midweek, scoring Hull’s second goal in a 3-0 win over Ipswich. It was a great run from Akpom to beat the defender on the near post run and finish first time to extend Hull’s lead to 2-0.
Fellow loanee, Jon Toral, appeared for Birmingham in the 79th minute of their loss to Hull. Toral did very little, completing just three of six passes and failing to involve himself in the game. Toral also came on as a late sub in Birmingham’s 1-0 win over Bolton, joining the team in the 88th minute and nearly creating a goal with his only pass of the game.
Dan Crowley played 46 minutes of Barnsley’s 1-0 loss to Fleetwood Town. Crowley managed one shot as Barnsley had the advantage in possession and outshot Fleetwood eight to six, yet the side were unable to break through. Crowley was bright early on, giving Barnsley one of their best chances, and showing his attacking talent on various occasions early in the game. The Arsenal midfielder came on as a 61st-minute substitute in Barnsley’s midweek loss to Walsall.
UPDATE: Crawley’s loan was reportedly terminated on Wednesday, with Barnsley feeling that the Arsenal man is not ready for consistent first-team football. Crawley’s loan was supposed to go until January, but the Tykes have sent him back two months early. The move is disappointing, as has been Crawley’s time so far at Barnsley, and one must hope this will force the player to refocus and step up his development. Crawley is an obviously talented player with fantastic technical ability, and it’s now up to him to prove that he has it takes to take the next step in his development.
Emiliano Martínez started again for Wolves as they lost 3-1 to Middlesbrough; Wolves took an early lead before giving away the game in the second half. Martínez conceded a weak goal for the equaliser, after which Wolves imploded defensively. Martínez was better midweek, though the result wasn’t; he made five saves in a 2-0 loss to Brentford. With the two losses, Wolves are now enduring a three-match losing streak.
Gedion Zelalem started and went 61 minutes for Rangers as they won 1-0 against St. Mirren. Zelalem nearly set up a goal that would have put Rangers up 2-0, keeping what looked like a lost ball in play near the end line and finding Andy Halliday, whose shot was saved.
Wellington Silva did not play in Bolton’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United due to injury. The winger did start Bolton’s midweek loss to Birmingham, though, but came off late in the first half with a hamstring tear that has him set to miss a reported 10 weeks.
Main Photo
