This season Last Word on Sports will be keeping you up to date on 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. The biggest news of this week on the loan front was the move of defender Stefan O’Connor to York City on a one-month loan. O’Connor has already made his first team debut at Arsenal, appearing in a Champions League clash against Galatasaray last December, and has been a regular for the U21 side. Arsene Wenger even singled out O’Connor for praise after his Champions League appearance at right-back.
The players away on loan are:
- Wojciech Szczesny (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
- Jon Toral (MID), on loan to Birmingham City in the Championship
- Emiliano Martinez (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
- Stefan O’Connor (DEF), on loan to York City in League Two
Arsenal on Loan: Akpom Goal, O’Connor to York City
Wojciech Szczesny kept a clean sheet midweek as Roma drew 0-0 with BATE Borisov, making two saves to help Roma secure their advance in the Champions League. Over the weekend, Szczesny made four saves and kept another clean sheet as Roma again drew 0-0, this time with Napoli.
Carl Jenkinson was an unused substitute in West Ham’s 0-0 draw with Stoke. This was the second consecutive match in which he did not start after a consistent run of starts earlier in the season.
Yaya Sanogo did not play in Ajax’s 1-0 loss to Utrecht.
Serge Gnabry was an unused substitute in West Brom’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles started and played 78 minutes as Ipswich won 1-0 against MK Dons. Maitland-Niles played quite poorly during his time on the pitch. He gave the ball away repeatedly, completing just 54 percent of his passes and contributing very little.
Isaac Hayden was an unused substitute in Hull City’s 1-0 win over Bolton. Team-mate Chuba Akpom scored the game’s only goal. Akpom started the game and played 74 minutes, forcing another save in addition to his goal, and completing an impressive 90 percent of his passes, a high percentage for a striker. The forward’s work rate was impressive, often fighting hard to win the ball and holding the ball up well to bring team-mates into the attack, as he did for his goal.
Fellow Arsenal loanee Wellington Silva did not play for Botlon.
Jon Toral did not play for Birmingham in their 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough.
Emiliano Martinez did not play in Wolves’ 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Gedion Zelalem started and played 61 minutes in Rangers’ 2-2 draw with Greenock Morton.
The newest loan is Stefan O’Connor to York City. O’Connor started and played 90 minutes in his first game with York City. York City fell 2-1 to Bristol Rovers in League Two. Speculation abounds as to the purpose of sending O’Connor to York City for just one month, but earning a start in his first match with the club is a good sign regarding his time there.
